Culture Secretary announces plan to take maternity leave

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced that she intends to take a period of maternity leave next year.

Donelan, who was appointed Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by former Prime Minister Liz Truss in September, and retained the position when Rishi Sunak took over in October, tweeted today that she will be leaving the post for a "short" time.

"My husband & I are very excited & blessed to be expecting a baby next year," Donelan tweeted.

"I’ll be taking a short maternity leave from DCMS. I’ll reduce the number of constituency visits during this time but I shall still be on hand throughout to help local residents supported by my great team."

Under the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021 the Prime Minister can designate a pregnant minister as a "Minister on Leave" for for up to six months, and appoint another paid minister to temporarily fill the role.

However, there is no guarantee that the minister on maternity leave will be reappointed to the same role after the six month period – with the decision being at the discretion of the Prime Minister.

Donelan previously covered maternity leave herself for Kemi Badenoch who was Children's Minister at the time. Badenoch was moved to a Treasury post on her return, while Donelan was given another role within the Department for Education.