Press Releases

Maternity Action welcomes Shared Parental Leave announcement and calls for business to support the reforms
13th November 2012

The Government has announced its proposals for changes to the maternity and parental leave, enabling women to transfer more of their maternity leave to fathers. Maternity Action welcomes the move and looks forward to examining the proposals in detail. Meanwhile it is calling for business to support the reforms as a step forward.

Rosalind Bragg, Director, Maternity Action said:

‘We welcome any proposals to allow genuine shared parenting, which is good for the baby, mother and father. It is important that families are allowed to decide how to share parenting according to individual need and that fathers can play a full in bringing up a family. This supports progress towards equality between men and women.

‘Many businesses understand that fathers, as well as mothers, should be allowed to carry out parenting duties and we need to spread this good practice across Britain.

‘Our worry is that there will be a low take up because the Government is not offering fathers the additional four weeks of paternity leave which was originally proposed.

“Robust employment protection for parents must be a priority for a Government committed to supporting families. Unlawful pregnancy discrimination remains widespread, forcing pregnant women and new parents out of the workforce at a time when they most need secure employment.

“There is good evidence on the health benefits of an effective system of leave, including less maternal depression, fewer low birth weight babies and more breastfeeding. This means savings for the NHS as well as improving the lives of parents and babies.

“Enabling both parents to remain in the workforce during their childbearing years has long term benefits for the UK by protecting family incomes during the recession, reducing the number of families living in poverty, and reducing pressure on the benefits system. It also means that employers retain valuable skills and experience that are otherwise lost.”

ENDS
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Note to Editors
1. Rosalind Bragg is available for further comment and interview
rosbragg@maternityaction.org.uk 07913381208
2. The Deputy Prime Minister made an announcement on changes to parental leave today.
3. Maternity Action is a national charity providing advice and information to pregnant women, new mothers and their families on maternity rights and benefits. Maternity Action helps 28 000 parents each month through our web-based information and telephone advice service.
www.maternityaction.org.uk

Maternity Action welcomes the Government's pre-announcement of Shared Parental Leave.
12th October 2012

"Shared parental leave will increase the flexibility of current maternity leave to enable more fathers to share in caring for their baby.

"This is a long overdue change which recognises that fathers as well as mothers can care for their baby.

"The increased flexibility will offer families real choices about managing work and caring responsibilities.

"We are mystified at claims that this is a burden on business. The proposals allow families to share existing entitlements.

"Many people are unaware that Statutory Maternity Pay is reimbursed by Government and the same arrangements apply to shared parental leave."

ENDS
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Note to Editors

1. Rosalind Bragg is available for comment
rosbragg@maternityaction.org.uk
0791 338 1208

2. Maternity Action is a national charity providing advice and information to pregnant women, new mothers and their families on maternity rights and benefits. Maternity Action helps 28 000 parents each month through our web-based information and telephone advice service.
www.maternityaction.org.uk

Family un-friendly policies are not the way forward for women

October 8th 2012

Responding to criticism of maternity leave and pay from right wing think tank, Politeia, Maternity Action Director, Rosalind Bragg, called for greater support for families rather than stripping away fundamental rights.

“Family un-friendly policies are not the way to promote women’s progress in the workforce.

“Women take maternity leave to care for and bond with their babies and most women return to work as soon as they feel able to leave their child.

“Sheila Lawlor is being disingenuous, as axing leave and pay will not help women’s progress in the workforce. Giving fathers more statutory rights to take leave would be an important step in sharing the burden between parents.

“Maternity leave and pay are fundamental to women’s engagement with the workforce during their childbearing years.

“For most families, women’s work is an economic necessity not an optional extra. Women’s earnings make up 26% of family income, on average, and for many families it is much greater.

“UK maternity pay falls well short of entitlements in most of our international trading partners. China, for example, pays women 100% of earnings for 90 days. The UK offers 90% of earnings for only six weeks before pay drops to a modest flat rate.

“We should be aiming to increase financial support for families in the recession, not strip away fundamental employment rights and family income.

“We have heard a succession of challenges to maternity and paternity leave and pay from voices within and close to Government. We are waiting to hear a clear statement from Government to defend mothers’ and fathers’ rights at work.

“People often forget that Statutory Maternity Pay is reimbursed by Government."

ENDS
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Note to Editors

1. Rosalind Bragg is available for comment rosbragg@maternityaction.org.uk

0791 338 1208

2. Maternity Action is a national charity working to end inequality and promote the health and well-being of all pregnant women, their partners and children from before conception through to the child's early years (www.maternityaction.org.uk). Maternity Action is leading the Valuing Maternity Campaign, a coalition of organisations who want to support pregnant women and new mothers at a time when maternity rights and services are under threat. (www.valuingmaternity.org)

Maternity Action in the News

Campaigners welcome Clegg's parental leave reform | ITV News | 13.11.12

Parents will be able to share up to a year's leave to look after their newborn children under 'radical' shake-up | Independent | 13.11.12

Maternity Action welcomes Shared Parental Leave announcement | Health and Social Care Reform | 12.11.12

MP speaks out for new mothers | Messenger | 1.11.12

UNISON hosts Maternity Action seminar | UNISON News | 25.10.12