Recommendation 3

In the longer term, the Government must also consider a feasible approach to phased introduction of increases to statutory pay across the system, to bring rates for all working parents up to a very substantial proportion (80% or more) of average earnings or the real Living Wage. Overall paid maternity entitlements in the UK compare unfavourably with most developed countries; reform of statutory pay must therefore not include any diminution of existing maternity entitlements. (Recommendation, Paragraph 32) Extending paternity leave