New research from law firm Browne Jacobson reveals that 82% of UK businesses oppose the proposed extension of paid maternity leave.

Furthermore, three quarters of company directors - 75% - believe that any extension of maternity leave will discourage employers from hiring women of “child-bearing age” - in clear breach of age discrimination legislation. According to government statistics, women “of childbearing age” account for about 10 million employees, or one third of the UK’s workforce.

The research, contained in Browne Jacobson’s new Sleepless Report, is based on a survey of more than 220 company directors across the UK.

Peter Jones, employment partner at Browne Jacobson, says: “The clear message from our research is that company directors do not support an extension of paid maternity leave.”

The government is proposing to extend maternity leave from six months to nine months.