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Women would be entitled to 20 weeks paid maternity of blocked EU proposals.?Photo: PA

In these plans, mothers UK would be entitled to 20 weeks full pay compared to six weeks followed by wages 90pc statutory of ￡ 124.88 per week for 33 weeks. Although no formal vote, rejecting proposals yesterday, Ministers from all over Europe have expressed concern that they could not implement the proposals in their current form.

Edward Davey, the Minister for employment relations joined groups of British companies in lobbying against the proposals, who voted for, at a time where UK "may be least allow."

Belgian employment Minister Jo?lle Milquet, the country currently holds the rotating Presidency of the EU, stated after the proposals have been disseminated: "the vast majority of Member States consider that Parliament has gone too far by offering to extend to 20 weeks, paid - 100pc maternity leave is not a basis for negotiations".

Ministers have now wait three weeks for Belgium to develop a new plan, describing the areas of compromise by providing effective 2008 pregnant workers directive.

Kieran o ' O'Keeffe, head of European representation in the House of British trade, said: "discussion yesterday was satisfactory progress. But I would be reluctant to say we can forget about it and assume that nothing will happen. The Council wants [yet] trying to find an agreement. ?

However, Mr. o ' Keeffe said Ministers could "take" proposals "age", adding it no deadline set for which the directive should be translated into force.

A spokesman for the Institute of administration stated: "we are pleased that the United Kingdom and others have blocked this terrible proposal." 20 weeks pay compensation 100pc maternitée is not simply an affordable price. Taxpayers would have been landed with a bill of at least ￡ 2 5bn a year. "It would be wise [EC] now completely abandon the proposal.

In October, Britain has warned that the proposal for a five-month would be more than double its invoice of maternity leave, summing up to ￡ 2 taken annually.

Mr. Davey said: "we agreed that we must stop thinking before we identify how, or if, can reach an acceptable compromise." On the basis of the current proposals it is difficult to see how such a compromise is possible. ?

A spokesman for the Department for business said yesterday "stalled" EU proposals for EU Ministers. He added that the Government could publish a consultation in the coming weeks for the introduction of a new system of shared parental leave.

Britain has longer maternity leave the European Union to 52 weeks. German get 14 weeks 16 Belgian French women 15 weeks.

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The truth is that if a woman wishes to become pregnant, she can. Photo: ALAMY

Employers could be faced with a Bill. 5bn ￡ 2 after the European Parliament voted to require corporations to paid maternity leave to 20 weeks full pay.

The proposed changes, which also introduce two weeks fully paid leave for fathers, could lead companies farther turning female job hunters, warned lawyers.

The United Kingdom workers receive up to their weekly earnings average for the first six weeks of leave, followed by statutory ￡ 123 per week for weeks of 33.Hommes 90pc receive up to one to two weeks of paternity, paid a minimum of ￡ 124 per week.

The European Commission first proposed amendments to the pregnant workers directive in 2008 to gather the minimum leave available for 14 weeks to 18 weeks in Europe, but remains a largely free to decide how many women pay receive United Kingdom états.Le member argued that the changes were unnecessary and expensive.

Yesterday the MEPs voted an overwhelming to make reforms more despite also present a report on costs, which shows that the UK would be affected by an act of. 5bn ￡ 2 extra.

Portuguese Socialist Edite Estérel, MP who led tougher calls to a regime of maternity leave said costs were "minimal", emphasizes: "It's a great day for new parents and the good news for our economic future in Europe."

However, Allen & Overy job & benefits lawyer Sarah Henchoz said if the changes took place women may be more difficult to find work.

She said: "these proposals could lead to companies employing deliberately not women in childbearing years."

Tina Sommer, the Federation of small businesses, said: "small businesses are known to employers flexible but these proposals EU cost small businesses an extra ￡ 7,000, so we are deeply concerned."

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