Plans to increase parental leave to 65 weeks

The Liberal Democrats have proposed giving parents more time off after having a baby. 

 

Drafted by the Minister of Equality, this will allow parents to claim up to 15 months’ leave, as well as the right to give employers very little notice beforehand.

 

From April 2015, the Children and Families Bill will give parents the right to ‘mix and match’ childcare arrangements during the first year of their baby’s birth.

 

As it currently stands, mums are entitled to take 52 weeks’ maternity leave, of which nine are paid, while dads can take up to two weeks paid paternity leave.

 

Under Lib Dem plans, employed mothers will still be entitled to 52 weeks’ maternity leave; however they will have much more flexibility regarding how they take their leave.

 

Both mums and dads can take turns, provided it is not more than 52 weeks in total.

 

Ministers Eric Picles and Phillip Hammond are both against these plans. They insist that employees give their employers a reasonable amount of time prior to leaving. 

 

They also said that employers should lose their right to offer employees the same post if they return to work after more than six months.