Downing Street said the rules preventing Cabinet ministers from taking maternity leave are outdated and must be replaced.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman set out the need for the new legislation with Attorney General Suella Braverman due to have a baby this year.
“The current rules are clearly outdated and need fixing, which is why we are introducing the Bill,” the spokesman said.
“At the moment women are offered the choice between either resigning from their position or taking time off to recover from childbirth, which is simply not acceptable in the modern times.”
The Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill will provide for six months’ paid leave.
Asked if it would cover a future female prime minister, the spokesman said: “It would apply to anybody who holds a Government position, whether that’s a Cabinet minister, a junior minister or anybody who holds a Government position to allow them to take six months’ full paid maternity leave.”
