By Monidipa Fouzder2021-02-05T12:30:00+00:00
This weekend marks 103 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 received Royal assent. As well as giving the vote to all men over the age of 21, the legislation created the first steps towards full suffrage, letting women over 30 who met minimum property qualifications vote too.
Significant progress towards gender equality has been made since then, but as a bill presented to parliament this week shows, the journey is not over.
On Thursday, the government introduced the
Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill to make provision for ministers, opposition office holders, law officers and the lord chancellor to take maternity leave.
Legislation enabling Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave will be brought before MPs later on Thursday.
Mrs Braverman announced in November that she was expecting a baby “early next year”. She is believed to be the most senior woman at Cabinet level to have a child in office.
Under current laws, she would have to resign if she wanted to take time off following the birth.
Delighted to let you know that I am expecting a baby early next year. My husband and I are very excited about the new addition to our family.
The Government will present the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill in the Commons later on Thursday.
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Provisions are already in place which allow junior ministers to take maternity leave without quitting their frontbench roles.
But there is no such provision in place for secretary of states or government law officers.
The new law will ensure people at the very top of the Government are able to take maternity leave.
The change will mean Boris Johnson will have to appoint a temporary replacement to serve as the Government s Attorney General.
Mr Rees-Mogg confirmed the new Bill this morning as he told MPs that it will be crashed through the House of Commons next Thursday.
Announcing the business for next week, the Commons Leader said: Thursday the 11th of February, consideration of a business of the house motion, followed by all stages of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill.
British government to introduce law enabling Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave Attorney General Suella Braverman. Picture by Conservative Party / PA Wire Harriet Line, PA Deputy Political Editor 04 February, 2021 10:34
Legislation enabling Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave will be brought before MPs later today.
Mrs Braverman announced in November that she was expecting a baby early next year . She is believed to be the most senior woman at Cabinet level to have a child in office.
Under current laws, she would have to resign if she wanted to take time off following the birth.
The government will present the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill in the Commons later today.
NEW legislation enabling Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave will be brought before MPs later on Thursday. Mrs Braverman, who is the MP for Fareham, announced in November that she was expecting a baby “early next year”. She is believed to be the most senior woman at Cabinet level to have a child in office. Under current laws, she would have to resign if she wanted to take time off following the birth. The Government will present the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill in the Commons later on Thursday. It makes “provision for payments to or in respect of ministers and holders of Opposition offices on maternity leave”.