Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Acknowledged
Consider financial incentives, like overseas 'bonuses', to increase Shared Parental Leave take-up.
Conclusion
The Government’s review must consider financial incentives to increase take up of SPL. The review should examine approaches taken in overseas systems, including the German “partnership bonus” and Portugal’s “sharing 59 bonus”, which provide additional paid leave to couples in which both parents take a substantial portion of leave while the other returns to paid work. (Recommendation, Paragraph 94) Extending access to paid leave
Government Response Summary
The government confirms that the proposal to extend paternity leave, and its associated economic analysis, is being considered as part of the parental leave and pay review, which will conduct a robust assessment of costs and benefits for any policy options.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government recognises the important contribution that organisations like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and other groups are making to the conversation around parental leave. Government officials have spoken to JRF and continue to work closely with them as we consider the future of parental leave policy. The proposal to extend paternity leave to six weeks, and the associated economic analysis, is being considered as part of the parental leave and pay review. The review has cost as a cross-cutting consideration, and we will consider how the parental leave and pay system can support economic opportunities to make the process surrounding parental leave easier for both businesses and parents. The government will produce a robust assessment of costs and benefits for any policy options that we take forward following the review.