Millions of employees who were previously denied time off for the birth of their child are set to receive enhanced parental leave benefits as part of new regulations announced on Monday.
The initiative, welcomed by labor unions, will grant bereaved parents up to a year of leave in the event of losing a partner before their child’s first birthday, ending the current reliance on employer goodwill in such circumstances.
Among the reforms is the provision for Unpaid Parental Leave from day one of a new job, a move expected to offer approximately 1.5 million parents increased flexibility in sharing caregiving duties.
Scheduled to come into effect in April, the changes have been praised by Keir Starmer, who emphasized the importance of providing essential rights and security to working individuals. The modifications aim to ensure that every new parent can take adequate time off when welcoming a child and avoid working while unwell to meet financial obligations.
Aaron Horsey, a campaigner who faced difficulties following the loss of his wife during childbirth in 2022, expressed support for the new policy. Previously, he had no automatic entitlement to paternity or parental leave due to his short tenure with his employer, despite being left to care for his newborn son.
The government estimates that the adjustments will enable an additional 32,000 fathers each year to avail of Paternity Leave immediately, aligning their entitlement with that of mothers on maternity leave.
Simultaneously, a review of parental leave and pay is underway to enhance the existing system and address the challenges faced by approximately 390,000 individuals out of work due to caregiving responsibilities.
The introduction of the right to Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day of a new job is anticipated to provide another 1.5 million parents with increased flexibility in sharing caregiving duties. The government projects that even a 1% increase in individuals re-entering part-time employment due to this adjustment could boost the economy by around £150 million annually.
Acknowledging the positive impact of the changes, UC General Secretary Paul Nowak highlighted the alignment of British workers’ protections with international standards, emphasizing the importance of higher living standards and secure incomes for working families.
Simon Kelleher, Head of Policy and Influencing at Working Families, lauded the implementation of day-one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave as a progressive step. Eliminating the 26-week qualifying period allows parents to switch jobs without losing vital leave entitlements, removing a barrier that has hindered many individuals and constrained families in unsuitable roles.