Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the differential treatment of maternity allowance in the calculation of universal credit awards.

As has been the case under successive administrations, details of internal policy discussions are not routinely disclosed.

The Government is determined to do more to ensure pregnant women and new mothers are not disproportionately affected by redundancy. The Government has committed to extend the statutory redundancy protection which a mother currently enjoys while on maternity leave, shared parental leave or adoption leave for a period for six months following a return to work. BEIS will bring these measures forward as soon as there is an appropriate opportunity.