Bill to extend maternity protections passes in House of Commons

If bill passes through Lords, firms cannot make women redundant from moment pregnancy disclosed until child is 18 months

A push to secure better protection from maternity discrimination has taken a step forward, after a bill extending maternity protections passed its final stage in the House of Commons.

A private member’s bill led by Labour’s Dan Jarvis, which passed its final reading in the House of Commons on Friday, would prevent companies from making women redundant from the moment she discloses her pregnancy until her child is 18 months old.