Attack on maternity leave plans

PLANS to double maternity leave will cripple British business, experts warn today.

Business leaders will tell MPs they fear that plans to allow new mothers to take a year off work will force smaller firms out of business.

They will say that many companies are already buckling under the strain of costly government initiatives. Generous new maternity leave provisions are expected to be included in Labour's general election manifesto.

The scale of business opposition to the plans will be highlighted at a meeting of Westminster's powerful Trade and Industry select committee. Ministers are expected to come under intense attack over the number of new burdens on businesses.

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) will say that the private sector has been hit by a £30bn 'tidal wave' of new regulations since 1997.

The BCC will warn that extending maternity leave will hit particularly hard. A spokesman said: 'This will be crippling for small businesses.'