Sylvia Heal has welcomed a new law which includes a range of extra rights for workers during pregnancy or adoption.

The new rights for workers came into force in the Work and Families Act, at the start of the month and include the extension of statutory maternity or adoption pay from 26 weeks to 39 weeks.

All pregnant employees regardless of the length of service are now entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave and women or adopters can go into work for up to ten mutually agreed Keeping in Touch Days during maternity or adoption leave.

Sylvia said: "I am pleased this new law has come into force, it will not only extend and improve maternity leave.

"It will also give the right to request flexible working for carers of adults, a measure which carers organisations have campaigned on for many years.

"These new measures will make a real difference to parents and carers in Halesowen and Rowley Regis".