Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
UK statutory parental pay rates are inadequate, causing hardship and hindering take-up
Conclusion
The UK’s rate of statutory parental pay is completely out of kilter with the cost of living. At considerably less than half of the National Living Wage and real Living Wage, it has not kept pace with inflation and is far below rates in most comparable countries. This causes financial hardship, particularly in lower income households, and is a barrier to parents taking the time they need to care for their babies. The low rate particularly inhibits take up of the very limited amount of statutory leave available to fathers and other parents, a disproportionately high number of whom are entirely reliant on the inadequate statutory minimum. (Conclusion, Paragraph 30)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the importance of parents taking time off and that the parental leave system can do more to support families. It notes the annual review of statutory pay and states that the recently launched parental leave and pay review, which will last 18 months, will consider all entitlements including statutory pay rates.
Government Response
The government responded to this report on 19 September 2025. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗