Labouring the point

Judges have claimed that the government discriminated against new mothers when it set up a Covid-19 support scheme, a landmark ruling that could make policymakers consider more carefully how their decisions affect women who take time off work to have a baby.

The maternity rights charity Pregnant Then Screwed took the Treasury to a judicial review, stating that the way the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grants were calculated meant applicants who had a baby between 2016 and 2019 got less help.

The Court of Appeal agreed that this was indirect sex discrimination and breached laws that give pregnant women and those on maternity leave protected status. However judges said that the emergency nature of the situation justified the action, so the estimated 65,000 women affected aren’t entitled to a rebate.

‘Grease’ is the word! The 1978 film was chosen as the UK’S favourite movie soundtrack by Showcase cinemagoers, slipping ahead of

‘Dirty Dancing’ and ‘Mamma Mia’.