Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Paragraph: 78
The shift to remote working has had significant ramifications for people with caring responsibilities.
Recommendation
The shift to remote working has had significant ramifications for people with caring responsibilities. We heard evidence that the number of men undertaking DWP’s preparations for changes in the world of work 51 unpaid childcare has increased during the pandemic. Increased volatility in the labour market has resulted in more people transitioning between jobs, meaning that some parents have missed out on entitlements such as paternity leave. Future changes may lead to greater disruption in the labour market, which in turn may affect new parents’ entitlement to parental leave and benefits. The Government must ensure that support for parents keeps pace with changes in the labour market. We recommend that DWP should consider the potential benefits of introducing a day one right to paternity leave and an equivalent of Maternity Allowance for new fathers and adoptive parents. It should work with other government departments and stakeholders to explore how this could be achieved.
Paragraph Reference:
78
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
As part of the evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, BEIS commissioned large scale, representative surveys of employers and parents. The surveys sought views on a broad range of parental leave and pay entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay. BEIS are currently analysing, and quality assuring, the data that was collected. Alongside this, BEIS is assessing responses to a 2019 consultation on high-level options for reforming parental leave and pay. Together with the survey data that has been collected, information gathered through the consultation will provide a fuller picture of how well the current arrangements for parental leave and pay are working for parents and their employers. This information will inform government policy on parental leave and pay going forward.