Labour considers ways to make paternity leave and unpaid parental leave day-one employment rights
Ministers have launched a review of parental leave and pay as Labour considers ways to make paternity leave and unpaid parental leave day-one rights.
Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, said the government had heard campaigners’ concerns, and accepted the current system was not working for young families.
Officials will assess the entire system for supporting new parents to take time off work when they have a baby, including shared maternity and paternity leave. Maternity leave is paid at 90% of a mother’s average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, then for the next 33 weeks, whichever is lower of that 90% figure or 187.18 a week.
New fathers can take two weeks’ paid leave at a rate of either 187.18 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lowest. Officials hope to increase the take-up of shared parental leave, which allows a couple to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of paid leave between them.
Reynolds has signalled plans to simplify the system for parents and employers, and stressed businesses would not face extra burdens.
“The arrival of a child, whether through birth or adoption, is a life-changing moment,” the business secretary said. “We want to make sure parents get the support they need to balance work and family life. Campaigners have long called for change, and this government has listened. This review is our chance to reset the...
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