LEADING politicians across the South Lakes have backed calls to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers get more protection at work.

New figures showed that the number of expectant and new mothers forced to leave their jobs has almost doubled to 54,000 since 2005 in the UK.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has urged the government to do more to ensure that there is no gender discrimination in the workplace.

He said: "Unscrupulous employers must not be allowed to use pregnancy as an excuse to get rid of women, and it is right that the government looks at what more needs to be done to make sure that women are not discriminated against in the workplace.

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"As a father, I want my children to grow up in a world where the opportunities open to them are the same regardless of gender.

"Here in the South Lakes there are a huge number of highly successful female business leaders, but it is clear that we still need to do more to promote equal treatment and opportunities for women at work.”

Barrow MP John Woodcock echoed Mr Farron's thoughts and is keen for Theresa May to look into this as a matter of urgency.

He said: "The impending arrival of a new baby can create enough anxieties without the mum having to worry about employment wrangles with an unscrupulous boss.

"I am concerned by the government’s lack of urgency in tackling pregnancy and maternity discrimination. Action is required to give pregnant women and new mums across Furness better protection at work."

Copeland MP Jamie Reed also gave his backing. He said: "I support the recommendations of the Women and Equalities Select Committee to increase employment protections for expectant and new mothers.

"Clearly, employers should provide new and expectant parents with all of the support that they need to navigate such a rewarding, yet challenging stage in their lives.

"Discrimination against mothers has no place in 21st century Britain, and Government must do all it can to defeat worrying levels of women having no choice but to leave their work because of concerns about the safety of their child, or pregnancy discrimination.

"Government must stop dragging its feet, implement the recommendations of the committee, and act immediately to develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the concerning and unacceptable levels of workplace discrimination towards expectant and new mothers."

The Womens and Equalities Select Committee are keen to enforce a German-style system where it is harder to make women redundant during and after pregnancy.

In Germany, from the beginning of pregnancy until four months following childbirth, employers can only dismiss an employee in very rare cases - such as the company going bust - and it needs the approval of the government to do so.

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