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Parental Leave

Volume 461: debated on Wednesday 20 June 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he plans to table regulations to provide for additional paternity leave under section 3 of the Work and Families Act 2006; and if he will make a statement. (136530)

The Government have made a commitment to introduce additional paternity leave and additional statutory paternity pay, which will give additional flexibility to families to make their own choice as to which parent is best placed to take the second six months of leave, before the end of this Parliament. A formal date for introduction is still to be decided, but it is intended to be brought in alongside the extension of statutory maternity pay, maternity allowance and statutory adoption pay from 39 weeks to 52 weeks. This will give families the choice for the first time on the best arrangements for their family when having a baby.