Maternity leave for mothers needing childcare vouchers increased

Working mothers planning on taking advantage of childcare vouchers have been handed a boost with the news that draft legislation to extend maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay has been passed by a European Parliament committee.

The women''s rights committee voted to extend maternity leave provisions though the Pregnant Workers Directive and thus delay the period before mothers apply for childcare vouchers.

Existing European laws give pregnant women 14 weeks fully paid leave, while in the UK women are allowed a year off with the first six weeks on 90 per cent pay, and 33 weeks on statutory maternity pay of £123 a week.

Employment relations minister Lord Young said: "We already have a generous system that is better than many European Union countries and works well, balancing the need of businesses and workers.

"A substantial increase in maternity leave paid at full or near-full pay risks undermining this delicate balance at a time when economies across the EU can least afford it."

Childcare vouchers can help women get back into the workplace while ensuring their children are receiving care. Back