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Fathers to get six months of paternity leave

02 February 2010

The Government’s recent announcement on 28th January 2010 confirmed an extension of paternity leave to fathers which will take effect on 6 April 2011 and will apply to children due on or after 3rd  April 2011. 

Provisions allowing for the extension of paternity leave were originally intended to come into force in April 2009 under the Work and Families Act 2006. They were delayed as it was felt that the effect of such provisions could have been too onerous in view of the economic climate.

Under the current proposals, mothers will effectively be able to transfer to their partner some of the 12 months’ maternity leave to which they are currently entitled in the second six months of the first year of their child’s life. If the leave is taken during the mother’s 39 week statutory maternity pay  (SMP) period, the paid leave can be transferred to the mother’s partner who will receive the equivalent SMP for the remainder of the period –currently £123.06 a week.

Despite recent reports of the recession being lifted, criticisms of the proposals have come from a variety of representatives from the business community including the Scottish Chamber of Commerce, whose spokesman said that ‘the plans do not make good business sense,’ and David Frost, general director of the BBC who has written to Lord Mandelson and Pat McFadden, urging them to recognise that businesses need a period of stability.

In contrast, the proposals have been hailed as a victory for parents’ rights by charities, including Families Need Fathers (FNF) and Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality.

The Government announcement came just days after David Cameron’s own announcement on 22nd January 2010, that he ‘wants to lead the most family-friendly Government we’ve had.’ It would appear, however,  that there is ongoing debate on how the political parties can best serve and balance the needs of two significant and sometimes overlapping camps, those of the family and the business community.

For further information about Employment Law matters contact Amanda Okill, Associate.

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