House of Commons – Nov. 21, 2017 – 44

“(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5(1), HM Government shall make arrangements to report to both Houses of Parliament whenever circumstances arising in section 2(2)(d) would otherwise have amended provisions or definitions in UK law had the UK remained a member of the EU or EEA beyond exit day. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5(1) and having reported to both Houses of Parliament, HM Government is bound to consider whether it should incorporate amended provisions or definitions into UK law, in order to ensure that the rights of workers and employees in the UK are no less favourable than they would have been had the UK remained a member of the EU or EEA beyond exit day. (3) Such circumstances arising in section 2(2)(d) include but are not limited to— (a) any future EU Directives relating to family-friendly employment rights;

including but not limited to rights for pregnant workers and employees, and those returning from maternity leave, (b) any future EU Directives relating to gender equality, (c) the proposed Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on work-life balance for parents and carers. (4) Reports presented under subsection (1) must include— (i) an assessment of how such amendments to UK law would have impacted sex equality in the UK had the UK remained a member of the EU or EEA beyond exit day and (ii) an assessment of how a failure to implement amended provisions or definitions in UK law will impact the ability of families to combine work and care in the UK and gender equality in the UK.”—(Ellie Reeves.)