I AM pleased to report progress on an important issue on which I have been campaigning for many years.
This week, the government has announced a comprehensive review of Britain’s parental leave and pay system, which I warmly welcome.
In particular, I want to see an improved focus on the scope and take-up of paternity leave.
Labour has already made paternity leave and unpaid parental leave ‘day one’ rights so they can be accessed by all new dads.
Even so, at present, one in three new fathers are not taking paternity leave due to financial reasons, and just one per cent of mothers and four per cent of fathers are taking up shared parental leave entitlements.
Changing this would have such a positive effect.
Good for babies.
Good for families.
Good for mums to get extra support at such a difficult and stressful time, particularly women who have difficult births and the increasing numbers who have caesarean sections and are physically incapable of doing things for weeks – I know many women in this situation, and there is much more we can do to help their physical and mental health.
And of course, improved paternity leave will be good for fathers.
It gives them the opportunity to be more involved in their child’s earliest life, to support their partners, and to fully be able to prioritise their most important job as a dad at this crucial time.
We want parents to be able to make balanced childcare choices that work for their family situation and provide flexibility for them.
Giving family units greater flexibility helps the wider economy too.
I speak to so many men who wish they had greater opportunity to spend time with their new families, and I want to commend The Dad Shift for their campaigning to bring this to the forefront.
I spent years as a trade union official working with lorry drivers and warehouse staff: male dominated sectors and it was always raised as a priority with me.
That is why I have supported calls for this as an MP and am glad to see the review now announced.
I hope this will lead to action soon, and for the benefits to be felt by new mums and dads before too long.
I encourage Warrington businesses, campaign groups, and anyone with an interest in children and parents to get involved.
