The proposed "women and motherhood protection act" by Reform UK has sparked controversy, with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) warning that it could undermine women's rights. Critics argue that the party's legislative plan risks diminishing the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, a fundamental right established in 2010's Equality Act.
The TUC claims that Reform UK's proposed changes could lead to lower earnings for women, as they would focus on "genuine cases of pay discrimination" rather than ensuring equal pay across different occupations. The party has asserted that its new act would restore "equality before the law" and safeguard women's rights through earlier legislation, such as the Equal Pay Act 1970 and the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Furthermore, Reform UK's plan includes extending the time limit for unfair dismissal claims related to pregnancy and maternity from three months to 12 months. The party stated that "new mothers should be focused on their child, not paperwork" and should not lose legal rights due to their early months of motherhood. However, this aspect of the proposal has been met with scrutiny, particularly following allegations of past comments made by Reform UK's candidate in the Makerfield by-election about women.
Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, strongly criticised the proposal, describing it as a "smokescreen for slashing women's rights and making life harder for families." He questioned whether Reform UK would uphold the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and dismissed the party's comments about motherhood as "patronising, antiquated and plain wrong."
The implications of such a change could be significant for many working women across the UK. The existing Equality Act has been instrumental in securing substantial payouts in cases of pay discrimination. For example, over 3,500 predominantly female store staff at Next recently won a six-year legal battle in 2024, securing millions in compensation for pay disparity.
The TUC's concerns have sparked debate about the potential consequences of Reform UK's proposed legislation on women's rights and equality in the workplace. As the party continues to promote its plan as a measure to strengthen women's rights, critics argue that it may ultimately do more harm than good, threatening progress made towards achieving pay parity for women.