Should businesses be banned from firing pregnant women?

Action is needed in order to protect new and expectant mothers in the workplace – according to a recent report by MPs.

The Women and Equalities Committee has called for a ban on businesses making female employees redundant before, during and after pregnancy.

The BBC reports that the number of new mothers forced to leave their jobs has doubled to 54,000 since just 2005.

The Commission called for laws similar to those in Germany, whereby from the start of a pregnancy until four months following childbirth, employers can only dismiss an employee in extremely rare cases.