New Paternity & Maternity Rules to be introduced.
With the election looming the Government are keen to secure votes from the various sides of the voting communities. One of which is, of course, parents. With the in mind the latest plans unveiled by Pat McFadden (Business Minister) is to improve the flexibility of the maternity and paternity schemes.
Details were posted in this weeks political monitor from APSCo….
Legislation to give parents more flexibility in how they use maternity and paternity leave will be introduced under new Government plans.
New fathers will be able to take advantage of additional paternity leave and pay during the second six months of the child’s life, if the mother wishes to return to work with maternity leave outstanding. The changes will be introduced for parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011.
Business Minister Pat McFadden said:
“The balance between work and family life has changed for the better in the past decade and these changes will give parents the chance to share their leave and will give families a useful element of flexibility and choice.
The move comes as the Government publishes its response to a consultation on the subject held at the end of 2009. The regulations will mean:
- Fathers will be entitled to up to six months extra leave, which can be taken once the mother has returned to work;
- This new provision will be available during the second six months of the child’s life, giving parents the option of dividing a period of paid leave entitlement between them
- Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s 39 week maternity pay period. This would be paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (currently £123.06);
- Parents will be required to “self certify” by providing details of their eligibility to their employer. Employers and HMRC will both be able to carry out further checks of entitlement if necessary.
Theresa May, Conservative Shadow Minister for Women and Equality, said
“The truth is that this announcement is a pale imitation of our own proposals”.
She said she hoped that the Government has finally followed the Conservative lead on accepting the need for parents to have more flexibility in how they take their paid maternity leave, but expressed doubts about the pledge.
The Government has tabled the regulations for Parliament to consider as soon as possible. They will be debated and approved by each House before they can be implemented. Subject to this, the Government intends that the law be in force by April 2010 and have effect for parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011.
Article source: APSCo Newsletter 25 Jan 2010
Tags: New Maternity Rules, New Paternity Rules, Pat McFadden
