Stronger parental leave rights “to give millions of working families the security they deserve”

The Government have today announced enhanced paternity rights to come into force in April, following the passing of the Employment Rights Bill into law. The Government claims that millions of workers will benefit. Many who were previously denied time off for the birth of their child, will become eligible for new day one rights to parental leave from April, through measures being laid in Parliament today.

A press release on the Government website states that changes will ensure that parents no longer be forced to make the choice between being there for the first weeks of their child’s life or going back to work to avoid losing their job. An additional 32,000 more dads per year will be able to access Paternity Leave immediately, as a mother would with maternity leave.

This comes as the Government continues its Parental Leave and Pay Review, which will assess the whole system – from maternity and paternity leave to shared parental leave – to see how it can work better for parents and employers.

Around 390,000 people are estimated to be out of work due to caring responsibilities but want a job, including parents. The reforms to parental leave include the right to take Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day in a new job, giving a further 1.5 million parents more flexibility to share caring responsibilities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

For too long, working people were left without the basic rights and security they deserve. That ends now.

The changes we’re bringing in will mean every new parent can properly take time off when they have a child, and no one is forced to work while ill just to make ends meet. This is about giving working families the support they need to balance work, health and the cost of living.

We’re delivering a modern deal for workers. Stronger sick pay, parental leave from day one, and protections that put dignity back at the heart of work. Because when we respect and reward those who keep Britain running, we build a stronger economy for everyone.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:

No one should have to worry about whether they can take time off when their baby arrives, or lose pay simply because they’ve fallen ill.

Our improvements to sick pay and parental leave are about giving workers and their families the security they deserve. They will ensure our drive for growth reaches everyone through providing secure, fair paying jobs and giving support to people when they need it most.

Following campaigning from individuals such as Aaron Horsey, a new Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave will also be introduced from April, providing up to 52 weeks of leave for fathers and partners who lose their partner before their child’s first birthday. This fixes the previously unfair system where bereaved partners had to rely on the compassion of an employer in order to be granted time off to grieve and care for their child.

Aaron Horsey, campaigner for Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave, said:

Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave ensures that new parents and their employers have a clear route for support at one of the most difficult moments imaginable. It gives them the time and space they need to grieve, care, and begin to rebuild their lives with dignity.

By embedding this protection in law, it shows how listening to lived experience can lead to practical, compassionate change that will support families for generations to come.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

The Employment Rights Act will deliver vital common-sense reforms for millions of people across the country – including sick pay for all workers and better leave for parents.

Britain will now be brought into line with other countries where workers already have better protections. And crucially, the legislation will give working people the higher living standards and secure incomes that are needed to build a decent life.

Good employers will also welcome these changes – the Act protects them from competitors whose business models are built on low-paid, insecure employment.

The following Statutory Instrument will be laid in Parliament on Monday 12 January, in order for the parental leave measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025 to take effect:

• The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Parental and Paternity Leave) (Removal of Qualifying Periods etc.) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2026

The following Statutory Instruments will be laid in order to allow Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave to take effect:

• The Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave Regulations 2026
• The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Parental Order Cases) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
• The Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Adoptions from Overseas) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Statutory Instruments for the Statutory Sick Pay changes in the Employment Rights Act 2025 will follow in the coming months, ahead of implementation in April.