Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Acknowledged
Lower income fathers face additional cultural barriers to taking parental leave
Conclusion
While there is evidence of appetite for more leave among fathers across occupational and income groups, fathers in lower income and working-class occupational groups may face additional cultural barriers to taking leave. These households and communities are more likely to hold traditionalist views about gendered caring responsibilities, and these fathers are less likely to have supportive employers. (Conclusion, Paragraph 68)
Government Response Summary
The government recognizes low take-up of Shared Parental Leave and states it is in scope of the parental leave and pay review, which will gather evidence, consider simplification, and examine international models to inform future reforms.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
the government recognises that take up and awareness of Shared Parental Leave among employees is low and welcomes the committee’s specific recommendations in relation to Shared Parental Leave. Along with all other existing parental leave and pay entitlements, Shared Parental Leave is in scope of the parental leave and pay review. The review will expand our existing evidence base to understand what is and what is not working well for families and employers and consider opportunities for simplifying the system. The review represents an opportunity to reset our approach to parental leave and pay and what we want the system to achieve; a consideration of Shared Parental Leave will be key to this. This will include looking at international models, such as those highlighted by the committee, and drawing on stakeholder expertise to form recommendations and a roadmap of any proposed reforms.