Government Review of Parental Leave Launched

The Government has launched a review of parental leave and pay this week. The review will look at all types of leave, including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.

The Government website stated:

“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.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner 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 Jonathan Reynolds 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.”

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.”

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.”

Matt Wrack, Acting General Secretary of NASUWT said:

“The government’s review of parental leave is long overdue and must take a serious look at the derisory levels of paid leave that are detrimentally impacting on far too many of our members.

Too many pregnant teachers and teachers who are new mothers tell us that they are left unable to take the leave to which they are entitled, or have to struggle financially when they should be bonding with their baby.

NASUWT and its members hope that the government commits to a serious review that brings about serious change. The current system is out-of-step with reality for many working families.”

The Government have launched a open call for evidence on the Parental leave and pay review, which invites views and evidence on the proposed set of objectives for the parental leave and pay system and can be accessed here.

The Government website provides the following explanatory note for those wishing to submit evidence:

“To inform the work of the review, we are seeking to test the objectives that government have set out in the terms of reference and better understand the extent to which the current system supports these.

Through this call for evidence, we are particularly interested in any new information or evidence that has not previously been shared with the government and that relates directly to the objectives set out here for the parental leave and pay system.”