Member states in the European Parliament are in the process of debating proposals to extend maternity leave.

However, the UK government has hit out at plans to provide women with 20 weeks at full pay, claiming they will create substantial costs for nations.

Chris Grayling, the employment minister, visited Brussels on June 17th 2011 in order to lobby against the Pregnant Workers Directive.

Attending a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, he insisted in their current form, the maternity proposals are "socially regressive", as those earning the highest sums will benefit most from them.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, he said: "When member states are trying to balance their books in difficult times this is the wrong approach to adopt."

Edite Estrela, the European Parliament rapporteur, has hit out at the lack of progress on the subject of the Pregnant Workers Directive as a result of diverging views between member states and has called for ministers to support the majority in parliament, as well as indications from the Eurobarometer survey showing 78 per cent of respondents are in favor of the plans.

Posted by Alex Donnell