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Parental Leave Review 2025-07-01
01 July 2025
Lead MP
Justin Madders
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
NHSEconomyEmployment
Other Contributors: 30
At a Glance
Justin Madders raised concerns about parental leave review 2025-07-01 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government is committed to reviewing the current parental leave system to support modern, diverse working families. They are taking action through the Employment Rights Bill which includes making paternity and parental leave day one rights, prohibiting dismissal of pregnant women for six months after returning from maternity leave, requiring flexible working as default except where not feasible, and obliging large employers to produce action plans to close the gender pay gap. The Government is launching a review of the parental leave system, co-led by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Work and Pensions, with objectives focusing on supporting physical and mental health during pregnancy, enabling more parents to stay in work, ensuring sufficient resources and time away from work for new parents' wellbeing, and facilitating balanced childcare choices. The review will also consider fairness between parents within families, balancing costs and benefits, and improving societal aspects such as child poverty strategies.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
While acknowledging the importance of fathers being able to spend time with newborns, the speaker expresses reservations about the review's substance and timing. He points out that the Conservatives introduced shared parental leave but criticises the Government for delaying implementation beyond their original pledge. The speaker warns against increased unemployment due to high taxes and strict regulations on hiring practices, which could disproportionately affect young mothers.
Justin Madders
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Labour's review will address income inequality in parental leave entitlements, with a focus on fathers who cannot afford extended paternity leave. The government's policies are harming businesses and increasing unemployment.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
The Minister is acting on the importance of shared parental leave. However, nearly a third of self-employed dads did not take any days off following their child's birth. The review must ensure that needs of self-employed parents are considered.
Sarah Olney
LD
Richmond Park
The Liberal Democrats support the Government’s commitment to reviewing parental leave but call for broader examination into unpaid carers and kinship caring responsibilities. The review should address prevalent inequality in caring responsibilities.
Antonia Bance
Lab
Tipton and Wednesbury
The Minister must ensure that new rights will work for working-class people as well as those on higher incomes, ensuring equality of access. The Labour party's announcements indicate a focus on supporting families.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
The review should also address support for sick and disabled people, highlighting cuts to winter fuel allowance as an example of government priorities that may harm vulnerable populations.
Mark Sewards
Lab
Leeds South West and Morley
Good companies understand the importance of providing extended paternity leave. The Minister should pursue these companies to ensure their data and insights are included in the review for permanent policy improvements.
Mike Martin
LD
Tunbridge Wells
Welcomed the parental leave review, suggested that it is insufficient without addressing early years funding. Mentioned a provider in his constituency charging more than government-provided funding.
Sarah Smith
Lab
Hyndburn
Asked about challenges faced by public sector workers with parental leave and paternity rights, particularly teachers and police officers. Sought reassurance that these issues would be addressed in the review.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Raised concerns about parents who lose their jobs due to caring for seriously ill children. Asked if the Minister could address this issue as part of the review.
Maya Ellis
Lab
Ribble Valley
Called for six weeks' paternity leave paid at 90% by the Government, and emphasised the importance of engaging businesses to support parental leave.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Emphasised the financial strain on pregnant women during pregnancy. Asked for a commitment that the review will ensure system accessibility for low-income workers and unpaid leave provision.
Michael Wheeler
Lab
Worsley and Eccles
Welcomed the Government’s actions to increase affordable childcare, but highlighted complexities in accessing parental leave, particularly affecting low-paid workers. Sought commitment on system accessibility for all parents.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
Noted a gap for self-employed individuals looking to grow their family through adoption and requested reassurance that the review would address this issue.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Welcomed the review but expressed concern over the timescale for implementation, suggesting a holding measure of six weeks' parental leave paid at 90% salary by the end of Parliament.
Henley and Thame
Welcomed the review but criticised previous Tory policies on paternity leave. Suggested that addressing fathers' rights is crucial to achieving the four objectives outlined by the Minister.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Sought consideration of mental health aspects for mothers, particularly in cases of multiple births, within the review.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
Upper Bann
Asked if the review would look at issues related to premature births and ensure that parents with preterm babies are not disadvantaged. Requested cross-communication with Northern Ireland's devolved Assembly for progress.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Welcomes the review and highlights gaps in employment law regarding fertility treatment. Emphasises that sometimes leave is needed to become a parent.
Chichester
Highlights lack of facilities for breastfeeding parents at workplaces and calls for improvements and breaks to express breast milk.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Supports The Dad Shift campaign and raises concerns about the gender pay gap, calling for extended paternity leave entitlement.
Twickenham
Welcomes the review but urges faster progress on statutory paid leave for kinship carers within 18 months.
Deirdre Costigan
Lab
Ealing Southall
Notes persistent gender pay gap despite Equal Pay Act 1970 and queries how the review will help reduce it.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Calls for a review of shared parental leave to allow parents to share leave as needed, not just one parent solely.
David Baines
Lab
St Helens North
Welcomes the review and supports The Dad Shift campaign advocating for extended paternity leave.
Connor Rand
Lab
Altrincham and Sale West
Argues that ensuring fathers can spend time with newborns is good for parents, children, economy, productivity, and businesses.
Hitchin
Welcomes the review and invites the Minister to speak to local parents about paternity leave impact on families with high-risk cases.
Chris McDonald
Lab
Stockton North
Suggests low take-up of shared parental leave is due to pay gap, advocating for normalising paternity leave to ensure equal pay.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Calls for review to examine not only the amount of leave but also salary during the period to protect those on lowest wages.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
Welcomes the statement and review, highlighting issues faced by self-employed and SMEs in navigating complex parental leave systems.
Government Response
The Government have launched a review into parental leave policies, which will look at how people in different forms of employment can take advantage of these rights. The coalition government previously introduced shared parental leave, and the current level of statutory paternity pay is £187.18 per week. Defended the measures as necessary, highlighted ongoing work on affordable childcare, addressed early years funding through other Departments, acknowledged concerns about public sector workers, and promised to consider various issues raised by MPs. Mentioned carer’s leave review for Christina Harris's case and commitment to co-producing outcomes with lived experience. The Minister acknowledges concerns raised and commits to engaging with all relevant organisations. Highlights ongoing work on paternity leave and shared parenting, noting current low take-up of shared parental leave.
Shadow Response
Greg Smith
Shadow Response
The Opposition highlights the importance of parental leave but criticises the Government for failing to deliver within their promised timeframe and for imposing headwinds on businesses that could lead to increased unemployment. The speaker warns against negative impacts from new regulations on hiring practices, particularly concerning young mothers.
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