Mishcon de Reya is assisting Stella Creasy MP as she challenges the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) following its decision to refuse her like-for-like maternity cover.
Following the enactment of the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, which allows for ministers who go on maternity leave to be replaced by like-for-like cover, Ms Creasy is advocating for the same level of cover to be made available to non-ministerial MPs.
For her first maternity leave, Ms Creasy had appointed a locum, who took on duties such as meeting with ministers, representing constituents and overseeing her office. However, for her second maternity leave, IPSA refused Ms Creasy's request for a locum, arguing that requests for backbench MPs to be considered for like-for-like cover, as provided to Cabinet ministers, are ‘misconceived’.
Ms Creasy has written to IPSA, calling upon it to rethink its approach to maternity cover. This letter was co-signed by over thirty organisations, including General Secretaries of major trade unions, The Fawcett Society, Pregnant then Screwed, Mumsnet, the Centenary Action Group and Working Families.
Jennifer Millins and Suresh Patel of Mishcon de Reya and Maya Sikand QC and Beth Grossman of Doughty Street Chambers are advising Ms Creasy on possible legal routes of redress.
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