17/01/2011

New Plan Outlined For Shared Maternity Leave

The Deputy Prime Minister has unveiled plans to allow couples to share maternity leave.

The move, proposed by the last government, will allow a father to take up any remaining unpaid leave if their partner goes back to work early.

Nick Clegg has described current paternity arrangements as "Edwardian".

He said the government are planning a "proper" system of shared parental leave to be introduced in 2015.

In the speech Mr Clegg said: "Too many of these parents feel trapped by the current rigid rules. The current systems, which allows men two weeks of paternity leave patronise women and marginalise men.”

The government want to encourage flexibility to support parents.

The change will come in later this year.

(BMcN)


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