Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch comments that suggests maternity pay had "gone too far" has sparked a row on the first day of the Tory leadership conference.
Speaking to Times Radio, the leadership candidate said the statutory maternity pay is a "function of tax" which she called "excessive".
The shadow housing secretary later said she had been "misrepresented", and was interrupted with a question about maternity pay whilst discussing regulatory burdens on business.
When asked if she thought maternity pay was at the right level, Ms Badenoch said: "Maternity pay varies, depending on who you work for - but statutory maternity pay is a function of tax, tax comes from people who are working.
"We’re taking from one group of people and giving to another. This, in my view, is excessive.
"Businesses are closing, businesses are not starting in the UK, because they say that the burden of regulation is too high."
Ms Badenoch later said: "I think it's gone too far - too far the other way in terms of general business regulation."
Defending her remarks in a social media post, Ms Badenoch said: "Contrary to what some have said, I clearly said the burden of regulation on businesses had gone too far… of course I believe in maternity pay!"