Open consultation
Make Work Pay: enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers
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.
Documents
Ways to respond
Updates to this page
Published 23 October 2025