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Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill Committee - Sitting 1

20 March 2024

Proposing MP
Ian Paisley Jnr DUP
North Antrim
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses amendments to the Shared Parental Leave and Pay Bill to provide special provisions for paternity leave in cases of bereavement. The MP is presenting a bill to provide bereaved partners with statutory leave rights after the loss of a partner during childbirth. The statement discusses the Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill, focusing on its progress through the House of Commons and the importance of supporting bereaved parents. The statement discusses changes to the Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill, focusing on expanding its scope to include paternity leave and bereaved parents. The statement discusses the progress and amendments made during the Committee stage of the Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill, focusing on new clause proposals related to paternity leave in cases of bereavement. The statement discusses the progress of a Private Member's Bill concerning paternity leave in cases where the mother or adoptive parent dies.

Action Requested

Ian Paisley Jnr proposes amendments to include special provisions for paternity leave when a mother dies during childbirth or adoption, allowing bereaved employees to work for their employer without losing entitlement to leave. He also suggests changes to the Bill's title to reflect these provisions.

Key Facts

  • Clause 1 discusses shared parental leave entitlement in case of death of the mother.
  • Amendment 3 requires commencement regulations to be made by statutory instrument.
  • New clause 1 introduces special bereavement provisions for paternity leave and adoption cases.
  • Only around 180 maternal deaths occur within 12 months of childbirth annually.
  • MBRRACE data highlights a 20-year high in maternal death during pregnancy, although numbers remain low.
  • The new clause establishes paternity leave as the vehicle for delivering bereavement rights to more parents, including those who are stay-at-home partners.
  • Amendments aim to remove continuity-of-service requirements and enable bereaved parents to take keep-in-touch days.
  • The Bill aims to provide bereaved parents with support during a difficult period.
  • The emotional strain of caring for a new child after losing a partner is highlighted as a key issue.
  • Cross-party support has been gained since Second Reading.
  • The Government moved a motion on March 5th to issue an instruction allowing the Committee to consider out-of-scope amendments.
  • New clause 1 establishes legal provisions for delivering parental entitlements through paternity leave, expanding inclusion to domestic adoption and surrogacy arrangements.
  • The Bill aims to ensure no parent is without statutory leave in case of their partner's death during childbirth.
  • Chris Elmore thanked the Minister for his constructive approach.
  • Clause 1 was disagreed to, moving to normal voting procedures thereafter.
  • Amendments were made to clause 3 regarding regulations under subsection (2).
  • New Clause 1 proposes special provisions in cases of bereavement during paternity leave.
  • Amendment made: 5, in title, line 1, leave out from “about” to end of line 2 and insert “paternity leave in cases where a mother, or a person with whom a child is placed or expected to be placed for adoption, dies”.—(Chris Elmore.)
  • The amendment is consequential on NC1.
  • The bill is being sent to the next stage of becoming legislation.
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