As Britain slides into depression, the EU insists on TREBLING maternity pay

The Daily Mail reports:

Women will be entitled to full pay for the first 18 weeks of maternity leave under radical EU plans.

The dramatic extension of existing rights would more than triple the amount currently received by new mothers in Britain - but leave businesses and the taxpayer saddled with a massive bill as the recession bites.

The current UK entitlement is six weeks at 90 per cent of average salary, with another 33 weeks at a flat rate of £117.18.

Industry leaders said such a change - trebling the full-pay period - would damage an economy struggling to recover.

Great moments in central planning.