Family-friendly policies

Patricia Hewitt has announced plans to increase maternity pay for mothers.

In a fresh bid to highlight Labour's family-friendly credentials, the trade secretary said maternity pay is to be boosted by £1,400.

Department of Trade and Industry

Patricia Hewitt said: "It's not the job of government to tell mothers, or fathers, how to live their lives, but it is our job to give them more choices and more support so they can give their children the best start in life.