Government’s parental leave review must consider the reality of working parents’ lives

Responding to the launch of the government’s parental leave review, Claire McCartney, policy and practice manager at the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: 

“We welcome the government’s announcement today and would encourage a meaningful review of the UK’s parental leave system that fits the reality of working parents’ lives. The current system isn’t working, and there needs to be a holistic and thorough review from government that supports better, fairer and fuller employment for working parents.  

“In particular, we support the Women and Equalities Committee’s recommendations to increase paternity leave to up to six weeks at or near the full rate of pay, through a phased approach, and to simplify the complicated shared parental leave system. The CIPD, which gave evidence to the committee, has long called for statutory paternity leave and pay to be extended to help balance caring responsibilities, provide much-needed financial support to working parents and aid retention.  

“The government review should consider lessons learnt from successful international approaches, and the steps it can take to reduce wider cultural and societal barriers to fathers taking more leave. 

“We encourage the government to consult thoroughly with employers, representative bodies and working parents throughout this review to ensure the recommendations are practical, workable and likely to bring about real change.”