New paternity rights for fathers

The government has unveiled new plans to increase paternity rights for new dads. The legislation will be passed in April this year and parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011 will benefit from the proposals.

It is intended that fathers will be able to take the mother’s place for the last three months of her nine-month maternity leave. They would be entitled to £123.06 per week and an additional three months of unpaid leave if they wish.

Harriet Harman, The Women and Equalities Minister has been relentlessly pushing for more flexible working hours and entitlements for new parents and is particularly proud of the proposals:

"This gives families radically more choice and flexibility in how they balance work and care of children, and enables fathers to play a bigger part in bringing up their children.”

This bill effectively means parents can take as much as 12 months off between them. The take up has been estimated at between 4% and 8% of eligible parents.

Trade Unions welcomed the decision, General Secretary Brendan Barber said the proposals would help millions balance their work and family life. "As both parents work in most modern families, it's right that mums and dads should decide who looks after their baby, rather than the state deciding for them by only paying the mother for parental leave."

Small businesses are expected to resist the changes, although they will have until 2011 to adjust. However, employers’ concerns are likely to be taken into consideration, but mostly overlooked, as large numbers of families may benefit from the additional offerings granted by the new law.