Make Work Pay: enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The consultation sought views on the key details of the enhanced dismissal protections policy.
The consultation received 873 responses from individuals with lived experiences, employers, business representative organisations, trade union or staff associations, legal representatives, charities or interest groups, academics and others.
These views were carefully considered and have been used to help shape the final enhanced dismissals protections policy.
The government response includes insights from the consultation and sets out the measures the government intends to take forward. The government is intending for the measures to come into force in October 2027.
Original consultation
Consultation description
The government is introducing legislation which will make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers who return to work for at least a 6-month period after they return – except in specific circumstances.
The consultation is seeking views on enhancing dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, including:
- the specific circumstances in which the dismissal of pregnant women and new mothers should still be allowed
- when the protections should start and end
- whether other new parents should be covered by the protections
The consultation also seeks views on:
- making sure pregnant women and new mothers are aware of the policy
- how to best support businesses through the change
- how to mitigate against any unintended consequences
- other changes that could be made to tackle pregnancy and maternity discrimination
The consultation seeks responses from individuals who are or have been a pregnant woman, new mother or other parent, as well as employers, business representative organisations, academics, trade unions, charities and legal representatives.
See the Public consultations privacy notice.