Legislation enabling Attorney General Suella Braverman to take maternity leave will be brought before MPs later on Thursday.

Mrs Braverman announced in November that she was expecting a baby “early next year”. She is believed to be the most senior woman at Cabinet level to have a child in office.

Under current laws, she would have to resign if she wanted to take time off following the birth.

The Government will present the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Bill in the Commons later on Thursday.

It makes “provision for payments to or in respect of ministers and holders of Opposition offices on maternity leave”.

Politico reported that the Bill will enable Mrs Braverman to take six months’ maternity leave on full pay, while someone temporarily replaces her as Attorney General until her leave is over.