A meeting of EU ministers overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to extend maternity leave from 14 to 20 weeks after British ministers argued that it would be extremely costly to businesses and the public purse.

Dani Novick, managing director of recruitment firm Mercury Search and Selection, said that the decision to reject the proposed legislative change, which would have been mandatory in all EU states, was "very welcome for the print industry".

"Although many aspects of the proposals were already provided for in UK law the proposals for 20 weeks' leave on full pay are widely regarded as unaffordable; particularly in the current economic climate," she added.

"With so many SMEs in the print industry, these proposals could have had a disproportionate effect. Certainly this kind of state or supra-state intervention seems heavy-handed and rather anachronistic in this age.

"There can be no doubt that women play a valuable part in the industry and so, as is currently the case, good employers will ensure they are treated reasonably during pregnancy and maternity leave."