Select committee: Petitions Committee
Recommendation 10
First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave
Published 6 Jul 2020
Paragraph 50
Petitions Committee The Government's response to Coronavirus All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
It is difficult to see how health visitors will be able to ‘catch-up’ with their important contact visits to provide the much-needed support for new parents and to help identify those who are vulnerable and most in need. This risks more vulnerable children and families becoming hidden. The Government should review the provision of health visitor services in light of Covid-19 and consider funding increased numbers of health visitors and other allied professionals to ensure that vulnerable families are The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave 59 identified and given the support they need.
From: Petitions Committee, First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave (HC 526), paragraph 50, 6 July 2020
Government response
The impact of COVID-19 on maternity and parental leave: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report
The government responded to the whole report on 29 July 2020 (deadline 6 September 2020).
Second Special Report - The impact of COVID-19 on maternity and parental leave: Government Response to the Committee's First Report
Published 9 September 2020.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government says it is "still not persuaded that there is a need to extend entitlements to paid Maternity Leave at this time", while agreeing with some recommendations on data and guidance.
- On data, it agrees that access to data on uptake of parental leave and pay "is important", and says survey results "will be published in due course".
- On extending parental leave and pay, it says it is "not minded to extend entitlements to parental leave and pay at the current time", citing cost to the taxpayer and the additional burden on employers.
- On furlough for pregnant women, it says the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is temporary and closes at the end of October, and that employers must suspend pregnant employees on full pay where a risk assessment identifies a risk and controls cannot be put in place.
- It says it remains "committed to extending" redundancy protections "as soon as parliamentary time allows", and that the three-month tribunal time limit is being considered, with a response "in due course".