Extend paid maternity leave for mother’s on leave during national lockdown. · petition

What the petition asks

The government should consider mothers currently on maternity leave during the pandemic. Those on maternity leave during the coronavirus should receive extended pay beyond the pandemic. Their leave should be extended to the equivalent of those furloughed during this time.

Whilst the measures being taken are necessary, I believe that the following should be reviewed. Maternity leave gives new mothers the advantage of spending time with their new baby and also loved ones. When working, particularly through evenings and weekends, you are restricted in enjoying quality time with your loved ones. Paid maternity leave is seen as a benefit and enables you to do more as a family. However during this time those furloughed are ‘sharing’ our circumstantial benefits!

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action: Extend maternity leave by 3 months with pay in light of COVID-19

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

The Government has also created an online service to help you out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support

You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips

You can read impartial analysis of the Government response to coronavirus and policy developments here:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/coronavirus/

You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/

Read letters asking further questions of Government Ministers: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/

Timeline

3 Apr 2020	Petition opened for signatures
24 Apr 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee