Reform UK's proposal to scrap the Equality Act if it wins the next general election could threaten maternity leave and job security for half a million pregnant women annually, according to warnings from campaign groups. The party's equality spokesperson, Suella Braverman, has stated that Reform would repeal the act "on day one."
Loss of Legal Protections
Removing the Equality Act would eliminate the legal requirement for employers to treat pregnant women and new mothers fairly. Charity Pregnant Then Screwed warned that scrapping the legislation "would have catastrophic effects for everyone." The organization called for "more support for mothers and parents," not less.
CEO Statement
Rachel Grocott, CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed, told The Independent: "Scrapping the Equality Act is an unthinkable proposal. This is not some meaningless piece of bureaucracy; it is the means by which everyone is supported to work and participate in society on an equal and fair basis."
"Removing protections for women to work, and to return to work after having children, would wipe out decades of progress – leaving half a million pregnant women without workplace protections is simply shocking. It should be made crystal clear to voters that this would have catastrophic effects for everyone."
Political Reaction
Labour Party chair Anna Turley commented: "Nigel Farage has previously said women are worth less to employers than men and that maternity leave is lunacy. Now, Reform want to rip up vital protections for women at the time they most need them."
