Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many new and expectant mothers were (a) dismissed, (b) made compulsorily redundant where others in their workplace were not and (c) treated so poorly they felt they had to leave their job over the last five years.

In 2014 the Government commissioned an extensive research project 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.

Final results, including how experiences vary by employer size, are due to be published later this year. These figures represent a one-year period. We do not have results spanning the last five years.

The results of the final report will inform any potential Government action.