Summary
The government will review the parental leave and pay systems in the UK. The review will examine maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave, aiming to modernize and address problems identified by campaigners and a parliamentary committee.
Key Facts
- The UK government plans to review parental leave and pay policies, including maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave.
- Mothers can take up to 52 weeks off work with statutory maternity leave, receiving pay for 39 weeks.
- Fathers can take up to two weeks off with statutory paternity leave, which was introduced in 2003.
- Shared parental leave lets parents share up to 50 weeks off and 37 weeks of pay.
- The review responds to calls for modernizing the system, which hasn't been updated for decades.
- Some criticisms label the UK's parental leave system as one of the worst in the developed world.
- Campaigners believe the review could significantly improve support for working families.
- Low usage of shared parental leave and financial barriers prevent some parents from taking full advantage of existing leave options.
