Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Deferred
Reform to paternity and shared parental leave schemes is long overdue.
Recommendation
We reiterate the conclusions from our report on paternity and shared parental leave. Improved paternity leave and pay and reform to the shared parental scheme is long overdue and would directly benefit female entrepreneurs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 129)
Government Response Summary
The government has deferred action on improving paternity leave and pay and reforming the shared parental scheme, stating these are in scope of a parental leave review launched on 1 July, expected to run for 18 months, after which a roadmap for potential reforms will be developed.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
This Government knows that the parental leave system needs improvement. In the Plan to Make Work Pay we committed to a review of the parental leave system. This review launched on 1 July and will explore how the system can better support working families and reflect the realities of modern work and childcare, while still balancing the needs of businesses, and the Exchequer. The Review presents an opportunity to assess the current system against the following objectives: Maternal health, Economic growth through labour market participation, Best Start in Life, and Childcare. The recommendations outlined in your previous report are important contributions to the review and we thank you for your careful considerations. We will use the information in the report to inform the review. Through the Employment Rights Bill we have made a start on improving our offer to working families by making Unpaid Parental Leave and Paternity Leave “day one” rights. Government recognises that more can be done to go further. Shared Parental Leave and Paternity Leave and Pay are all in scope of the parental leave and pay review. We expect the review to run for a period of 18 months. The Government will conclude the review with a set of findings and a roadmap, including next steps for taking any potential reforms forward to implementation.