Government papers: Good Work Plan: Proposals to support families – consultation

Proposals to better support parents to balance work and family life have been put forward by the government. It is seeking views on three areas: parental leave and pay; neonatal leave and pay; and transparency of flexible working and family related leave and pay policies.

The consultation asks several questions about parental leave and pay, and how it is currently serving families. It considers whether all parental policies need reform including, paternity pay and leave (the amount and time off), maternity leave and pay, shared parental leave and pay, and parental leave for parents of older children.

The consultation closes for this part of the reforms on 29 November 2019.

The government is also considering introducing neonatal leave and pay for those who have a baby that requires additional medical intervention and have to spend longer in hospital. The intention is to give parents time at home with their child to compensate for the time their child was in hospital after birth. 

The government proposes that parents receive one week of neonatal leave and pay for every week that their baby is in neonatal care, up to a maximum number of weeks.

The consultation closes for this part of the reforms on 11 October 2019.

Finally, the consultation considers whether employers should publish their family-related leave and pay, and flexible working policies – in particular, whether this should be voluntary or made mandatory.

The consultation closes for this part of the reforms on 11 October 2019.