Additional Paternity leave and Pay - Consultation on draft regulations
Open date: 25 Sep 2009
Closing date: 20 Nov 2009
Background to consultation
As part of the Government's commitment to give choice and flexibility to parents, we announced on 14th September our intention to introduce Additional Paternity leave for fathers of children due on or after 3 April 2011. This new right will give fathers a right to up to six months extra leave which can be taken once the mother has returned to work. Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s maternity pay period. This will be paid at the same standard rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) which is currently £123.06.
This new provision will be available during the second six months of the child’s life, giving mums and dads with more choice in child care responsibilities and a more equitable sharing of leave entitlements. The scheme has been designed to minimise the administrative burdens on business whilst allowing fathers a greater opportunity to be involved in raising their child.
Purpose of consultation
This will be the third consultation by the Government on Additional Paternity Leave and Pay and focuses on the legal and technical aspects of the policy. It follows commitments made in the January 2008 response to the consultation on the administration of Additional Paternity Leave and Pay in May 2007. The proposals were also consulted on in March 2006.
The purpose of this consultation is to give employers and parents a chance to view and comment on the draft regulations before they are laid before Parliament. The consultation document provides information on the detail of the policy and interpretation of the regulations to aid understanding of how the scheme will work in practice.
Areas for consultation
We are seeking views on whether the draft regulations support the policy proposals, in particular whether the administration of the scheme is straight forward enough for employers and employees whilst ensuring that only those eligible can take it.
Consultation Documents
Consultation Responses
