Statutory Paternity Leave Could Soon Double!

Over the weekend The Institute for Public Policy Research has said that statutory paternity leave should be twice as long and paid at almost twice the present rate to encourage more fathers to spend time with newborns.

Under the new IPPR plans, fathers would automatically qualify for four weeks' leave after the birth, paid at the minimum wage. The IPPR have said that the one of the main reasons only 55% presently took off the available fortnight was because they felt they could not afford the loss of pay.

Currently fathers only qualify for a statutory amount of £138.18 a week, which works out as £3.45 an hour for a 40-hour week. 

Bringing the taxpayer-funded contribution up to minimum wage level would increase take-up to around 70%, the think-tank estimates, at a cost to the Treasury of around £150 million in 2015/16.It also called for the number of antenatal appointments fathers will be allowed paid time off to attend from October be doubled to four. 

Source: diary of a desperate dad

Senior research fellow Kayte Lawton said: "New parents need time away from work to care for their young children, and to strengthen their relationship with each other at what can be a hugely enjoyable but also very stressful time. 

"However, this is often difficult for fathers because they have limited entitlements to paid leave, and so they often assume the role of breadwinner while their partner is on maternity leave. 

"Fathers who take more than a few days off around the birth of their child are more likely to be actively involved in raising their child than those who do not. 

"Fathers' greater involvement in family life can make it easier for mothers to return to work after taking maternity leave, which helps to raise the family's income and lessen the impact of motherhood on women's careers."

I thought that this was worth a mention because i wasn't able to take off my full Pat leave due to financial implications. At such an important time i find it strange that parents are financially penalized when they need the time off the most. Parents should not have to sacrifice any salary and or bonding time with their children.

I welcome these new blueprints and do hope that all the politcal parties take note and consider these changes to give families the support and confidence they need at the best and hardest time of a families life.

Thoughts guys?

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/15/statutory-paternity-leave_n_5496941.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

More Info: http://news.sky.com/story/1282756/labour-plan-to-double-paternity-leave