Birmingham City Council Schools chief 'told to go if pregnant'

The councillor in charge of Birmingham's children's services was told she would probably have to step down if she became pregnant - because the council has no maternity policy.



Brigid Jones, cabinet member for education and social services, said she was told a procedure did not exist for someone in her role.

Ms Jones, a councillor since 2011, branded the situation "ridiculous".

Birmingham City Council said it was looking at introducing a policy.

Ms Jones, who was 26 years old when appointed to the council's cabinet in 2013, said she was thinking about starting a family and had enquired about her rights.

The Labour councillor said she was told there was no provision for maternity arrangements attached to her £41,696.75 a year job.

"I was told there isn't a policy and I'd most likely have to step down from my position if I were to have a child," she said.

"Obviously I thought this was ridiculous. I talked to the chief executive [Mark Rogers] and he thought it was ridiculous. He's now working on a policy."

Ms Jones, a councillor for the Selly Oak Ward, said she also felt that "the job of a councillor is from the dark ages."

Lets hope Birmingham never run us then.

No maternity policy?