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Paternity Leave

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 10 January 2025UIN 21986

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on introducing more flexible paternity leave.

Answered by Justin Madders

The Government is committed to ensuring that employed parents receive the best possible support to balance their work and family responsibilities.

The Employment Rights Bill will increase the flexibility of Paternity Leave. This Bill will make Paternity Leave available from ‘day one’ in a new job and enable it to be taken after Shared Parental Leave.

We will also review the parental leave system to ensure that it supports working families. Planning work is already underway across Government, including with the Department of Work and Pensions.

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