Government agrees to call pregnant women mothers

[janterry]

The government has agreed to change its bill allowing ministers to take maternity leave, so that it uses the term "mother" rather than "person".

The Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill would ensure up to six months' leave on full pay.

But the House of Lords rejected the use of the word "person" in its text.

The government initially argued this was in line with "drafting convention" but has changed its view, saying use of "mother" is legally "acceptable".

The bill was introduced in time for Attorney General Suella Braverman, who is expecting her second child, to take maternity leave this year. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56204865

[rickyhall]

1. So pregnant men can't get maternity leave? How is that fair?

[Midnightwalk]

2. The first one can take it to court.

[janterry]

3. Ministers aren't subject to normal employee rights

because they're appointed, and fired, by the prime minister (thus the need for this legislation).

In general, women have very liberal maternity leave (and father's have paternity leave as well):

Parental rights in the UK

Women are entitled to up to 52 weeks' maternity leave
They must take at least two weeks' leave after the baby is born (or four weeks if they work in a factory)
They are eligible to be paid for six weeks at 90% of their average weekly earnings and 33 weeks at £151 per week or 90% of their average weekly earnings (if lower)
Fathers can take two weeks' statutory paternity leave at up to £151 a week
Some couples are also entitled to shared parental leave of up to 50 weeks and 37 weeks of pay
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-55933388

[Hestia]

4. This is dumb - can we not assume a pregnant anything is female, like it or not? Biologically,

that's the way it works. They are not mother's until the baby latches on and/or starts feeding if by formula. Then she is a mother.

[janterry]

5. Women fought hard for the language not to

Last edited Fri Feb 26, 2021, 07:05 AM - Edit history (1)

erase women. Many feminist groups considered this a victory

(and yes, sex is sex - of course!)

[Hestia]

6. Not sure this is a victory for women at all - sounds like something from Quiverful movement

has a stealthy, dominionist feel to words, like the abortion bill they are trying to ram through here - Protect the Woman from out of control abortionistist verbiage.