I will be giving evidence to the Procedure Committee on the need for proxy voting for MP babyleave today at 2.10pm.

Parliament sets the rules for employers on maternity and paternity but has no provision itself. Must lead by example.

On Thursday, 1 February the House of Commons resolved that: "It would be to the benefit of the functioning of parliamentary democracy that MPs who have had a baby or adopted a child should for a period of time be entitled, but not required to discharge their responsibilities to vote in this House by proxy”.

I welcome the Procedure Committee’s inquiry into proxy voting in the House of Commons and the opportunity to submit evidence.

Written Evidence to the Procedure Committee:  On the subject of ‘Proxy Voting in the House of Commons’ for babyleave