Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask His Majesty's Government what resources they provide to support pregnant service persons or dependents who are required to return to the UK to have their baby while on an overseas posting, especially if there is no familial network for support.

Pregnant Servicewomen returning to the UK will be the responsibility of a chain of command and managed by a parent unit, having the ability to use welfare facilities provided by that unit, and access welfare support provided by that unit's chain of command.

If a pregnant Servicewoman, or spouse of a Service person, is returned to the UK on the advice of medical professionals, travel by an appropriate method will be at public expense. Additionally, the cost of subsistence may be paid for the pregnant woman up to a period of six weeks before, and up to two weeks after the birth. Compassionate leave may be granted by the Commanding Officer of the pregnant Servicewoman, or their serving spouse/civil partner, providing an authorised period of absence to enable them to attend to an immediate domestic crisis.

Servicewomen are not entitled under law to Statutory Maternity Leave. However, provision for maternity leave equating to the statutory arrangements is made by the Armed Forces Occupational Maternity Scheme. Additionally, the MOD enables Shared Parental Leave which provides eligible Service personnel who are parents, with a flexible way to share time off work in the first year after their child is born or placed with them for adoption. Defence also offers Service personnel a package of modern Flexible Working opportunities aimed at reducing stress, improving work/life balance, and encouraging continued service through changing circumstances. In return, Flexible Working gives Defence greater agility to deliver its outcomes.