CIPD consultation response: Parental Leave and Pay Review: call for evidence

Our response to the DBT and DWP call for evidence on parental leave and pay review, recommends that the Government should take a holistic review of the current parental leave and pay system to see where improvements can be made to better support labour market participation, choice, fairness and flexibility for working parents and employers.

In our response, we recommend that the Government should:

• Take a holistic review of the current parental leave and pay system to see where improvements can be made to better support labour market participation, choice, fairness and flexibility for working parents and employers. Including:
  • increasing statutory paternity leave to six weeks at or near the full rate of pay.
  • reviewing and reforming Shared Parental Leave and Pay to boost uptake by enhancing the financial statutory provision and simplifying the process for both working parents and employers.
• Help employers in building a broader culture of support for working parents.
• Review access to both childcare support and the provision of flexible working.
• Take into account international evidence and lessons learnt when reviewing and reforming the parental leave and pay system.
• Take a phased approach and ensure employer support when implementing the parental leave and pay review changes.