Recommendation 4

A key objective of reform of the paid parental leave system should be to promote equality. Maternity and paternity rights should be as equal as possible, to benefit mothers, fathers and families. We therefore welcome the Government’s intention to legislate for a day one right to paternity leave, in line with rights to maternity leave. A day one right to unpaid paternity leave 56 would be, however, only a limited move towards equality. The Government should either amend the Employment Rights Bill to legislate for a day one right to paid paternity leave or at least commit to consider bringing in this vital change, in consultation with employers, as part of its forthcoming review of the parental leave system. (Recommendation, Paragraph 61)