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15/09/2009
Dads To Share 'Maternity' Leave
Time off work to care for babies will no longer be limited to new mums.
Fathers will also be able to take six months' paternity leave in a move that will allow mothers to decide to return to work after six months and fathers to stay at home for the rest of the 12 months off allowed by law.
Government plans just announced are not to include full funding however, as their original idea to extend the total paid childcare period from nine months to a year looks set to be shelved to save money.
Officially, government sources say the proposal is "under review" with no decision taken.
In 2005, Labour said it would extend paid maternity leave to nine months - which it did in 2007 - with the "goal of achieving a year's paid leave by the end of the Parliament", but today's Guardian reported that aim would not now be implemented before the next election.
The additional paid leave would have cost £500m and given up to £1,600 to eligible families.
Adding a positive note, Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, who is also Minister for Women and Equality, said: "Mothers will be able to choose to transfer the last six months of their maternity leave to the father, with three months paid."
(BMcC/KMcA)
Fathers will also be able to take six months' paternity leave in a move that will allow mothers to decide to return to work after six months and fathers to stay at home for the rest of the 12 months off allowed by law.
Government plans just announced are not to include full funding however, as their original idea to extend the total paid childcare period from nine months to a year looks set to be shelved to save money.
Officially, government sources say the proposal is "under review" with no decision taken.
In 2005, Labour said it would extend paid maternity leave to nine months - which it did in 2007 - with the "goal of achieving a year's paid leave by the end of the Parliament", but today's Guardian reported that aim would not now be implemented before the next election.
The additional paid leave would have cost £500m and given up to £1,600 to eligible families.
Adding a positive note, Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, who is also Minister for Women and Equality, said: "Mothers will be able to choose to transfer the last six months of their maternity leave to the father, with three months paid."
(BMcC/KMcA)
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