VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Parental Leave

Asked by Dame Harriett BaldwinConservativeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled Answered 29 January 2025UIN 25190

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock

DCMS offers shared parental leave in line with legislation: to access statutory shared parental leave and pay, both parents must have worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before their baby is due. However, some staff could qualify for statutory shared parental leave on their first day of service with a particular department, because they already have service with another department.

To access our occupational shared parental leave pay, employees must have at least one year’s continuous service in the Civil Service.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024-25 comes into effect.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim