Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of evidence from research on the proportion of women subject to pregnancy or maternity-related discrimination at work who issued an employment tribunal claim for pregnancy-related detriment or dismissal in each of the past five years; and what steps he plans to take to improve women's access to justice in respect of such discrimination.

Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is unlawful and unacceptable, which is why the Government and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission jointly funded independent research into the perceived problem. This is the largest research of its kind to be undertaken 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.

The final report, due to be published later this year, will inform the Government’s response.