Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has today backed the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s ‘Power to the Bump’ campaign.

The campaign has been launched to help young expectant and new mothers know their rights at work and have the confidence to stand up for them.

The Commission developed the project drawing on the expertise of partners including The Young Women’s Trust, Fawcett Society, Maternity Action, The Royal College of Midwives and the TUC.

It is based on the insight and feedback that shows young women had lower awareness of their rights, were typically in less stable employment situations and were worried or lacked confidence to talk to their manager about things that were troubling them – and so felt under pressure to hand in their notice or leave their job than raise issues.

Commenting, Angela said:

“Unlawful maternity and pregnancy discrimination is now more common in Britain’s workplaces than ever before, with as many as one in nine pregnant women forced out of their job each year.

“Research shows that young mothers are more likely than other mothers to experience pregnancy and maternity discrimination, with six times as many under 25 year olds than average reporting being dismissed from their jobs after they tell their employer they are pregnant.

“There are a number of legal protections in place for mothers to stop discrimination, however there is a knowledge gap.

“Starting a family should be an exciting time, not filled with worry. Mothers need to know their rights and access to justice is key to combatting maternity discrimination.