Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing pregnant women and new mothers diagnosed with cancer to defer statutory maternity leave until the completion of their treatment.

Parental leave and pay entitlements are being considered as part of the Government’s Parental Pay and Leave Review. The Review will report in early 2027 with next steps for taking any reforms forward to implementation.