Petitions Committee has questioned the Government on maternity leave and pay after unprecedented public engagement

 

On Thursday 11 June at 2.30pm, the Committee questioned the Minister, Paul Scully MP, on crucial issues regarding maternity leave and pay raised by petitioners and experts.

This latest evidence session followed unprecedented levels of engagement from tens of thousands of people, sharing their views and concerns with the Committee through surveys and social media. This engagement was prompted by a petition to extend maternity leave by three months with pay in light of COVID-19 signed by over 224,000 people. A series of parliamentary petitions relating to the outbreak have received more than 3.7 million signatures.

 

• Watch the session
• Read the transcript of the session
• Read what parents and experts have told us
• Find out about the Petitions Committee's inquiry into coronavirus
• Find out more about the Petitions Committee

 

The session followed two earlier evidence sessions last month on the impacts the coronavirus crisis has had on maternity leave, maternal mental health, childcare and adoption. The Committee heard from experts and parents who had been directly impacted by the outbreak.

The Committee Chair, Catherine McKinnell MP, led the session, where MPs put questions to the Minister. Evidence from petitioners, experts and the Minister will inform the Committee's report, which will recommend actions the Government should take to address petitioners' concerns.

 

Further information

• Start your own petition
• Follow the Committee on Twitter
• About Parliament: Select committees

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