Additional paternity leave

The Government is planning to introduce additional paternity leave to the one currently available by April 2010. If the changes are implemented, parents of children born on or after 3 April 2011 will be able to transfer the last six months of the maternity leave to the father, with three months paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay.

Existing parental rights will not be affected by the new paternity leave. Currently, employed fathers can take two weeks paid paternity leave. Mothers are entitled to 52 weeks maternity leave with the first 39 weeks paid at the Statutory Maternity Pay rate. Employed parents can take up to 13 weeks in total unpaid parental leave until the child is five years old. Flexible working hours are available for parents of children aged 16 and under.