Select committee: Petitions Committee
Recommendation 14
First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave
Published 6 Jul 2020
Paragraph 72
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)
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the mental health of the whole nation. New and expectant parents have especially been put under tremendous strain during what is already an incredibly challenging time in their lives. It is extremely likely that there will be a significant increase in mental health referrals from new parents which the Government must ensure that the Health Service is fully prepared for. We are the first generation of legislators with the scientific knowledge of the impact that parental mental health has on the development, health and future outcomes of some of the most vulnerable in society: babies and young children. We must act on this knowledge. The Government should fund and provide additional professional and mental health support especially targeted at this cohort of parents, and their children in addition to its wider plans to significantly expand mental health services provided by the NHS.
From: Petitions Committee, First Report: The impact of Covid-19 on maternity and parental leave (HC 526), paragraph 72, 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".