Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan to take ‘short’ maternity leave

Your support helps us to tell the story

Support Now

Find out moreClose

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan will become the second Cabinet minister to take maternity leave after she announced she is expecting a baby next year.

She said she will be taking a “short” break from her Governmental role but will still be “on hand throughout” to support her constituents in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

The law had to be changed to allow Suella Braverman to go on maternity leave last year, with Michael Ellis filing her role at the time of attorney general.

It was not immediately clear whether Ms Donelan will be covered in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during her leave.

Ms Donelan tweeted: “My husband & I are very excited & blessed to be expecting a baby next year. 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.”

Before the law change, the covering minister would not have been able to have been paid if their colleague took paid maternity leave.

But the Maternity Allowances Act 2021 introduced formal paid leave.