Hull MP joins celebration on boost to paid maternity leave

Hull North MP Diana Johnson joined children from retail union Usdaw at a special Westminster party to celebrate the extension of paid maternity leave from six to nine months.

Diana has supported Usdaw's campaign to extend paid maternity leave of £122.75 from six to nine months for new mums, allowing them to spend more time at home with their babies.

Diana Johnson MP said: "It was a pleasure to meet some Usdaw mothers-to-be and mothers who will benefit from the Labour Government's extension of paid maternity leave to nine months.

"There's no doubt this big boost to maternity leave will have real benefits for low paid mothers, including many of my constituents, who won't be forced back to work early because they are struggling to make ends meet. There's even better news to come for working mothers in 2009 when the period of paid maternity leave will be raised from nine to twelve months.

"This Government has made family issues a priority since coming to power a decade ago and this measure shows that we are serious about ensuring that future economic success goes hand in hand with lifting families out of poverty and giving children the best start in life."

MPs at the celebrations heard from supermarket worker Maria Luff who is expecting her first baby in June and she told MPs just how important this right will be in allowing her to spend precious time with her child.

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said: "This party was a thank you from those mothers and children who will benefit from this new right that will give new mums the option to spend more time to bond with their children rather being forced back to work because they can't pay the bills.

"I'm delighted that Diana Johnson MP has backed this progressive change that will benefit new mothers, their families and businesses who will welcome back well-motivated staff who have spent three extra months of quality time with their children."