Davey flies to Europe to fight off EU pregnancy law
By politics.co.uk staff
European plans to force companies to provide 20 weeks of maternity leave at full pay are being challenged by the government.
The pregnant workers directive was put forward by the European parliament in October, but London has claimed the plans and unaffordable and “regressive”.
Employment minister Ed Davey heads to Brussels today to lobby other member states to scupper the directive.
The meeting of the EU employment council is the first time the controversial plans have been discussed by ministers from the member states.
Mr Davey said ahead of his diplomatic efforts that the directive “would be extremely costly to business and also to the public purse.”
He added that having full paid maternity leave would also be “socially regressive – the greatest benefits would be obtained by those earning the most.”
The minister accepted that “minimum standards across Europe are important”, but insisted individual countries need some flexibility.
The government claims the current standard rate of maternity pay at £124.88 means the poorest families reap the greatest proportion of their usual pay.
Critics point out that under the parliament proposals, although higher earners would benefit more than those on low incomes, all mothers would see an increase in their maternity pay.
But ministers claim the UK cannot afford the estimated £2 billion costs they say will result from pushing through the directive.
Instead, the coalition plans to introduce a system of shared parental leave – a policy that is set to go under a period of public consultation.
