Your BasketThe Conservative Party, through Theresa May, today proposed a radical shakeup of the leave system in the UK, with a set of ideas that look more like a mainstream European system than the traditional UK leave system, which is currently the most unequal leave system in the world.
The Tories have put out a set of proposals that would. on the face of it, provide mums and dads with considerable choice. The couple would be given 52 weeks of paid Parental Leave when the baby is born, with the first 14 weeks reserved for the mother.
- it would be up to the parents how to use the remaining 38 weeks.
- the mother could take off the whole 52 weeks
- the father could take over the FPL at any time during the final 38 weeks;
- or the mother and father could simultaneously take off up to 26 weeks each, as long as fathers only take one continuous period of leave.
- Parents who simultaneously take FPL would be eligible for double the rate of statutory maternity pay during the period of concurrent leave.
- Fathers who remain in work would still be entitled to their existing right of two weeks of paid paternity leave
Labour responded saying that the plans were out of touch with 'hardworking people' and that very few families would be able to take the leave simultaneously because of the drop in income.
Your thoughts
What do you think? Is this the right way to improve the leave system? Would it have helped your family? Would it help men and women to share work and childcare? Use the comments system below.
Comments
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Posted: Thursday, 10 April 2008 - 09:23 PM
Name: Tom
I agree - I don't think it makes sense for both parents to be at home at the same time.
I like the Icelandic system - mum gets 3 months paid, dad gets 3 months paid and they get another 3 months that either can take.
Around 90% of Icelandic new dads now spend 3 whole months looking after their baby on their own while their partner works. Imagine the difference that makes to family life!
Posted: Thursday, 10 April 2008 - 09:18 PM
Name: Robert
Whilst I have thought for a long term that the mother should be allowed to return to work if she is career minded and the father take leave instead, I am not sure about the idea of both parents taking an extended period of leave. Think how hard it will be for businesses - especially small ones - to cope!
That system would have to be funded from somewhere as well.
I think attempting to convince businesses to adopt more family-friendly policies is the way forward, not that.
Posted: Tuesday, 25 March 2008 - 08:08 PM
Name: P
about time! - bet it don 't make it into law though.