Latest news with #PregnantThenScrewed
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Improved parental leave good for business
Only 59 per cent of new fathers take paternity leave Having become a dad for the second time earlier this year, I know all too well the stresses and pressures on new parents. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After welcoming my new daughter to my family in January, I became the first Cabinet minister to take full paternity leave. I was glad to receive the support of colleagues to do so. Many are still regularly in touch to ask about the tears and tantrums, but I tell them I haven't had time to pay attention to John Swinney's latest reshuffle. There's no greater joy than welcoming a new addition to your family. But it's demanding, too, both emotionally and physically, and it takes time to adjust to a new life and bond with the new baby. Mums need space, time and support to recover. But the current system of parental leave isn't working. Only 59 per cent of new fathers take paternity leave, take-up of shared parental leave remains very low and many new parents find the system too complicated and difficult to navigate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As part of this government's new deal for working people, we want to make things easier for working parents. That's why at the start of this month the government launched a full review of parental leave to make the system fairer, easier to use, and fit for the modern world of work. It will gather perspectives from parents, employers and experts across the country, and I'm glad to see that it has already received the backing of organisations like the Dad Shift and Pregnant Then Screwed. The review comes alongside the government's landmark Employment Rights Bill, which will end exploitative zero-hour contracts, ban fire and rehire and strengthen the enforcement of employment protections. Workers in Scotland are set to benefit more than workers in other parts of the UK, with a higher proportion of the workforce in Scotland on zero-hours contracts and in insecure employment. The bill will also support working families by making existing entitlements to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave available from the first day of employment, strengthening rights to request flexible working, and introducing new protections against dismissal for pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers who return to work after a period of maternity leave. A recent survey by Pregnant Then Screwed suggests that 12 per cent of new mothers in the UK have been dismissed or made redundant whilst pregnant or having recently returned from maternity leave. That's a shocking figure and shows that the system needs reform. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Making the world of work more family-friendly is crucially important if we want the economy to grow. Research shows that an improved parental leave system can boost the economy by billions of pounds, meaning higher living standards and more money in people's pockets, delivering on this government's Plan for Change. Before entering politics, I ran small businesses. I know that a fairer deal at work means employees who are happier and more productive. It's good for business. Throughout history, Labour governments have always made working people better off and families more secure. This one is no different. Ian Murray is MP for Edinburgh South and Secretary of State for Scotland
The Independent
16-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Study reveals employment ‘bias' against women suffering pregnancy loss
A new ONS study reveals women in the UK can lose up to £14,000 in earnings and face reduced employment prospects after a miscarriage or stillbirth. The ONS data shows women experienced lower average earnings for up to five years after losing a child during pregnancy or labour. The study examined the monthly pay and employment status of women who experienced stillbirths, neonatal deaths, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and molar pregnancies. Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, said women were 'judged as less capable of doing their job' as soon as they became pregnant, even if they later lost the pregnancy. She added that the trauma of child loss was 'compounded by ongoing bias which says they must be distracted and less committed to their job'.
The Independent
16-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Women lose up to £14,000 in earnings after miscarriage or stillbirth
Women lose up to £14,000 in earnings and are less likely to secure employment after suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth, a shocking new study shows. Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows women suffered lower average earnings for up to five years after losing a child during pregnancy or labour. The study looked at the monthly pay and employment status of women who went through stillbirths, neonatal deaths, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies. In total, losses of up to £13,581 were shown across at least a five-year period. The probability of employment also reduced by a maximum of 4.8 per cent in the three months following the end of a pregnancy. Those who had suffered a stillbirth saw a drop in likelihood of employment for up to two years afterwards. Joeli Brearley, founder of the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, said: 'From the point that women become pregnant they are judged as less capable of doing their job. Even if they then tragically experience pregnancy loss or still birth, the bias still lingers, impacting their progression and earnings. 'These women are facing every mother's worst nightmare, and the trauma is compounded by ongoing bias which says they must be distracted and less committed to their job.' She added that very few women receive support from their employer during this period, according to previous research carried out by the campaign group. 'What world do we live in that penalises a mother professionally at a time of loss so great that most of us can't even bear to imagine it? 'It is very encouraging to see the ONS is looking into this, and we would like to see more done to protect and support mothers when they are at their most vulnerable from not being held back in their careers too.' Emma Sharland, principal officer of ONS's health research group said: 'These events can have a devastating emotional and health impact to women who experience them and their families. For the first time, we have looked to understand the financial impact they can also have. 'We found all these events caused a decrease in earnings, with some leading to a total loss of almost £14,000 in earnings over five years. This financial impact persisted, and those who experienced some of these events never saw their pay recover during the study period." The ONS study, which covered 2014 to 2022, found that the loss of earnings was likely caused by changes to employment status and to pay because of women moving to part-time work or different type of employment. Almost 150,000 women aged between 23 and 60 were included in the study. The data includes women who are employed rather than self-employed.
Scottish Sun
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Fed-up fathers join world's first ‘Dad Strike' demanding better UK paternity leave
Families across the UK are campaigning for better paternity leave Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOZENS of fed-up dads yesterday joined forces outside the Scottish Parliament to demand for better paternity leave. It was the world's first "Dad Strike", with families protesting outside Holyrood and Westminster. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Dad Shift paternal leave policy change in the UK Credit: ELeanor Pugsley The UK's statutory paternity leave is the worst in Europe. Currently, fathers and second parents get up to two weeks off work at less than half the minimum wage - £187.18 a week. Statutory leave is not given to self-employed fathers or those earning less than £123 a week. The campaign group behind the strike, the Dad Shift, wants better paternity leave in the UK, arguing 'two weeks isn't enough'. It has already gotten the support of over 40 Labour MPs. Greg Borthwick, a father of two, works for Dads Rock - a Scottish charity that provides support for dads. He said: 'Two weeks isn't enough. "We've known it's not been enough for so long now. It's better for dads, it's better for mums, it's better for everyone.' 4 Dads Rock's Greg Borthwick and toddler at the protest Credit: Eleanor Pugsley Standing at his feet is his second child, a young toddler, holding a picket sign that is the same size as her. 'I made use of the Shared Parental Leave policy. I had to take out a loan to afford to do that for three months, to spend time with my kid.' 'My wife had to go back to work during that period. It took time with the kids away from her. Mums issue stark warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos going viral on YouTube set out to target and terrify your kids 'We shouldn't have to share our parental leave. We should have our own.' The Shared Parental Leave policy allows parents to split 50 weeks of maternity leave between them. The Dad Shift campaign wants paternity leave that is substantial, affordable and equal. It believes both parents should have equal leave, paid at an affordable rate, with enough time for dads to support their partner and bond with their kids. It wasn't just fathers at the picket line, mothers were holding their banners and chanting - louder than some of the dads. 4 'It is mothers that pay the price" Credit: Eleanor Pugsley 'At the end of the day, the parental leave system is abysmal,' said a representative from the Pregnant Then Screwed charity. They added: 'It is mothers that pay the price when there isn't enough paternity leave. 'Two weeks isn't even enough time for someone to recover from a cesarean.' Kevin Kane, CEO of Shared Parenting Scotland - which helps couples going through separation or divorce, was also on the picket line. Parental leave is a 'common theme' on their helpline according to Mr Kane. He said: 'Scotland is falling behind, the UK is falling behind. 'Most people want to pull together to support the child. If they aren't able to do that, they get frustrated. That's a fault of the system. 'If we can get a more equitable distribution of the load of parenting at an early stage of a child's life, then we can make progress towards shared parenting being more normalised in Scotland.' 'For mums and dads and children, I want them to have the same opportunity to look after their children. There are models for that around the world.' In France working dads get 28 days of paid parental leave. While in Sweden, fathers are entitled to 90 days of paid time off work and spanish dads can get 16 weeks of full time leave. 4 Parental leave is a 'common theme' on Scottish helpines Credit: Eleanor Pugsley A report published this week by the Women and Equalities Committee said paternity leave rules 'entrench outdated gender stereotypes' and were 'completely out of kilter with the cost of living'. The cross-party group of MPs has urged the government to consider increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and leave to six weeks. Labour previously said they will review paternity leave within their first year in office.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
After 'Shocking' Police Abortion Guidance, Here's What Campaigners Want To Happen Next
Following the release of new police guidance detailing how to seize phones and search for medications used to terminate pregnancies in the homes of women after unexpected pregnancy loss, campaigners and doctors are urgently calling for abortion to be decriminalised. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has branded the guidance on child death investigation, which comes from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and was updated earlier this year, as 'truly shocking'. If someone is suspected of terminating a pregnancy outside of the legally permitted circumstances, the guidance suggests police could seize phones to examine internet search history, messages and health apps such as menstrual cycle and fertility trackers to 'establish a woman's knowledge and intention in relation to the pregnancy'. It also offers advice on searching for abortifacients (medications used to terminate pregnancies) as well as packaging, documentation and empty medication blister packs. Now, campaigners and doctors are calling for abortion to be decriminalised, with Joeli Brearley, founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, urging people to write to their MPs to ask them to support it. Labour and Co-op MP Stella Creasy has also urged her followers to take action. The NPCC told HuffPost UK: 'Unexpected pregnancy loss is not something which is routinely investigated by police as potential illegal abortion, and these are very rare. 'We recognise how traumatic the experience of losing a child is, with many complexities involved, and any investigation of this nature will always be treated with the utmost sensitivity and compassion.' The council added an investigation would only be initiated 'where there is credible information to suggest criminal activity' and this would often be as a result of concerns raised from medical professionals. 'It is important to stress that due to the individuality of each case, there is no standardised policy to investigate illegal abortions and that police will always work closely with health partners, prioritising the welfare of everyone involved,' said the NPCC. But against a backdrop of reproductive rights being rolled back in the US, campaigners are concerned by the update to police guidance. Over the past two years, six women have appeared in UK courts charged with ending their own pregnancy. Since the introduction of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (written before women could vote in the UK), only three other convictions of illegal abortion have been reported, the BMJ said. 'Abortion providers have reported that in recent years they have received c.50requests for women's medical records from the police in relation to suspected abortion offence,' a cross-party amendment briefing on the topic said. Abortion is technically still a criminal offence in England and Wales. It is only 'de facto' legal until 24 weeks because of the Abortion Act 1967, which allows people to circumvent the law by meeting certain conditions (getting the sign-off from two doctors, taking place in a hospital or premises approved by the Secretary of State for Health, and meeting one of the seven criteria that allows abortion). According to the briefing, that means that technically 'any woman who undergoes an abortion without the permission of two doctors – for example by ordering pills online – can be prosecuted and receive a life sentence as her abortion takes place outside of the provisions of the Act'. This is not usually enforced, but the law seems to be getting stricter. Nicola Packer was only cleared of illegally terminating a pregnancy after taking abortion pills during Covid this month, for instance. She had used a registered provider and was covered by emergency lockdown rule changes that allowed people to order abortion pills online up to 10 weeks into their pregnancy (this stayed in place after the lockdown). Earlier this month, The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 'welcomed' an amendment which is currently making its way through parliament and calls for abortion to be decriminalised. At the time, Dr Ranee Thakar, president of RCOG, said: 'Abortion that happens outside of the current law generally involves very vulnerable women – including those facing domestic abuse, mental health challenges or barriers to accessing NHS care. 'Yet alarmingly, prosecutions of women have been increasing in recent years.' Stating that abortion is a form of healthcare, Dr Thakar added: 'Parliamentarians now have an unmissable opportunity to decriminalise abortion, to ensure women can access abortion safely, confidentially and free from the threat of investigation and prosecution. 'We urge MPs to support this amendment to ensure that women and girls in England and Wales will have the same protections as their counterparts in countries such as Northern Ireland, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.' The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) has also been campaigning for abortion law reform. Spokesperson Katie Saxon said the recent police guidance change 'is the clearest sign yet that women cannot rely on the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, or the courts to protect them'. She added: 'The only way to stop this is to remove women from the criminal law on abortion.' Joeli Brearley, campaigner and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, has now urged people to write to their MPs to ask them to support the amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. 'This is not the time for caution,' she wrote on social media. 'We need to go hard or go home. Let's make sure the future of reproductive rights in this country is secure and that no woman who experiences pregnancy loss is ever investigated as a potential criminal.' On Sunday, Stella Creasy took to Instagram to 'beg' her followers to not 'ignore the warning signs that abortion access is under threat on our shores'. 'For the sake of the 250,000 women who have one every year here ask your MP to sign our cross party amendment and vote for it,' she said. 'We only have a few weeks to win this vital fight for our freedoms ... The stakes could not be higher but with your help and all our voices we can do this.' Abortion Law Could Radically Change As MPs Propose Decriminalising Abortion Up To 24 Weeks Lesbians Have Always Stood With Trans Women – Our Safe Spaces Should Too Former Minister Calls Out 'Sexist' No.10 Briefings Against Women In Starmer's Cabinet
