European Union (EU) proposals to increase the minimum time for maternity leave will damage small businesses and young women's employment prospects, according to the women's committee.

The EU will extend maternity leave to a minimum of 18 weeks, something that the women's committee say will harm small businesses and decrease the flexibility of new mothers and fathers.

"Stricter EU rules on maternity leave will make it harder for women of child bearing age to get work, particularly in small businesses. Small business owners with only a handful of staff are struggling to meet payroll costs already, without the EU forcing them to pay a member of staff for five months without a day's work," said Marina Yannakoudakis of the women's committee.