Good news for employers, not so good for the pregnant

The latest round of discussions at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on the Pregnant Workers Directive has come to a grinding halt. 14 Member States, including the UK, intervened in the Progress Report and expressed their concerns about the European Parliament's proposals for 20 weeks of maternity leave at full pay. Luckily for employers, discussions on the proposed Directive can go no further unless Ministers agree a common position.

A spokesman for the Government said that 'this is a good result. The fact that so many other Member States have echoed our worries sends a clear message that this one-size-fits-all measure is not in the best interests for Europe and certainly not in the best interests for the UK.'

The next step? That's down to the Member States agreeing on a united position, no doubt with a get out for the UK and that could take some time.