Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
6th Report - Equality at work: Paternity and shared parental leave
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 502
Published 10 June 2025
Recommendations
4
Accepted in Part
Legislate for a day one right to paid paternity leave in the Employment Rights Bill
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to legislating for a day one right to unpaid paternity leave but rejects a day one right to paid paternity leave due to practical and financial challenges, stating the parental leave review will consider entitlements holistically.
Government Equalities Office
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12
Accepted in Part
Evaluate effectiveness of local initiatives and commission schemes supporting fathers' caring roles nationwide.
Recommendation
There have been recent local initiatives, for example in Blackpool, Bradford, Lambeth, Nottingham and Southend, in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau’s A Better Start campaign, designed to support fathers to play a more equal role in parenting. This has …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the 'A Better Start' campaign and states it will invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme to support parents. As part of the parental leave and pay review, it will consider evidence from a wide range of stakeholders and has launched a call for evidence, but it doesn't specifically commit to commissioning 'A Better Start' type schemes nationally.
Government Equalities Office
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15
Accepted in Part
Simplify or remove Shared Parental Leave's complex eligibility criteria to widen access.
Recommendation
The Government must consider steps to address flaws in SPL, increase take up and widen access. The Government’s review must examine the function and necessity of SPL’s complex eligibility criteria, with a view to simplifying or removing the employment status, …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to removing the requirement that Paternity Leave and Pay must be taken before Shared Parental Leave to offer more flexibility. However, the broader examination of SPL's complex eligibility criteria, with a view to simplifying or removing them and widening access, will be considered as part of the ongoing parental leave and pay review.
Government Equalities Office
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