Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the annual cost to the NHS of the health effects of pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination at work.

The Department of Health does not collect data centrally on the cost to the National Health Service of work related pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

However, the Government commissioned an extensive research project in 2014 into perceived pregnancy and maternity discrimination in Great Britain. The research was jointly managed and funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, supported by the Government Equalities Office.

This is the largest ever study of pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination conducted in Great Britain. Interim findings were published in July 2015 and can be found at:

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/pregnancy-and-maternity-related-discrimination-and-disadvantage-first-findings-surveys-employers-and-0

The majority of employers reported that it was in their interests to support pregnant women and those on maternity leave and they agreed that statutory rights relating to pregnancy and maternity are reasonable and easy to implement. However, the research found that 11% of women reported that they were either dismissed; made compulsorily redundant, where others in their workplace were not; or treated so poorly they felt they had to leave their job.

Final results, including how experiences vary by employer size, are due to be published later this year. The results of the final report will inform any potential Government action.