23 October 2025
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has published a new consultation as part of the governments Make work Pay initiative, Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers.
New legislation is to be introduced to make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave and mothers that have returned to work in the previous six months following giving birth.
The aim of the consultation is to enhance dismissal protections, including:
- the specific circumstances in which the dismissal of pregnant women and new mothers should still be allowed
- when the protections should start and end
- whether other new parents should be covered by the protections
The consultation also seeks views on:
- making sure pregnant women and new mothers are aware of the policy
- how to best support businesses through the change
- how to mitigate against any unintended consequences
- other changes that could be made to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination
The Policy Team will respond to this consultation on behalf of the pay profession. If you wish to respond yourself, you can respond online, by email to: [email protected], or by post. The closing date is 15th January 2026.
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