Millions of families could benefit from a better start for their
children as the government launches a major review of the
parental leave and pay system - the first of its kind in Britain.
As part of the Government's Plan for Change, this review will
look at how to modernise parental leave to support today's
families and help grow the economy.
The review will look at the whole system – from maternity and
paternity leave to shared parental leave – to see how it can work
better for parents and employers.
Right now, the system is complicated and doesn't always give
families the support they need. One in three dads don't take
paternity leave because they can't afford to, and take-up of
shared parental leave remains very low.
This is a unique moment in family life – the arrival of a child
is joyful, but also physically and emotionally demanding. It's a
time when new mothers need rest and recovery, and when both
parents need space to bond with their baby and adjust to a new
way of life.
That's why it's so important that fathers and partners are able
to be present – not just to support their partner's recovery, but
to play an active role in caring for their child from day one.
Research shows that better parental leave can help close the
gender pay gap and boost the economy by billions of pounds.
The review will gather views from parents, employers and experts
across the country and will end with a roadmap for possible
reforms.
This delivers on a key pledge in the Plan to Make Work Pay and
supports two of the government's core missions – growing the
economy and breaking down barriers to opportunity.
Deputy Prime Minister said:
“Those early years are the most special time for families, but
too many struggle to balance their work and home lives.
“Supporting working parents isn't just the right thing to do –
it's vital for our economy.
“Through our Plan to Make Work Pay, we're already improving the
parental leave system with new day 1 rights. This ambitious
review will leave no stone unturned as we deliver for working
families."
Business Secretary said:
"The arrival of a child, whether through birth or adoption, is a
life-changing moment. 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 system and build
something that works for modern families and businesses."
Work and Pensions Secretary said:
“Every parent should have the chance to spend time with their
children during those precious early years.
"This review delivers on our Plan for Change to support families
and give children the best start in life.
"By listening to parents and employers across the country, we'll
build a system that works for today's working families.”
Jane van Zyl, CEO at Working Families:
“We're pleased to see the Government take this important step
forward and welcome the Terms of Reference set out in the
parental leave review. It's encouraging that several of the key
asks in our open letter, signed by 22 leading organisations and
16 academics, have been taken on board, particularly the
commitment to deliver a comprehensive review, which considers
statutory pay levels and will consult the public.
“Backing up the Government's findings, our own research shows the
current system is falling short, with one in five fathers having
no access to parental leave at all, and many others unable to
take what they're entitled to due to financial pressures. This
review is a vital opportunity to build a parental leave system
that supports the needs of families today.”
George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift:
“The Government's review of parental leave is the best chance in
a generation to improve the system and make sure it actually
works for working families.
“When the last Labour government introduced paternity leave it
was groundbreaking. But that offer, unchanged since, is now the
least generous in Europe. Our broken parental leave has been
overlooked for years, and finally sorting it out would be good
not only for parents and children but for businesses too. The
tens of thousands of mums, dads and future parents that make up
our campaign are delighted the Government is delivering its
promised review, and ambitious for the change to come.”
Rachel Grocott, CEO of Pregnant then Screwed:
“It is great to see this long overdue review of the parental
leave system. It's time for the voices of mums, dads,
parents and carers everywhere to be heard.
“After 6 weeks mothers are forced to survive maternity leave
on 44% less than the National Minimum Wage, and dads are forced
to suck up the same benefits for their 2 weeks. Yet we know
improving parental leave helps children get the best start
in life, as well as being better for parents' heath and equality
at home, and closing gender pay and participation gaps in
the workplace too. Investing in parental leave will pay
back above and beyond, to the bottom line and to
society: it really is a no-brainer.”
