More flexible parental leave rights to come into force from 2015

Under the new system:

• A new mother will be able to trigger flexible leave at any point after the first two weeks

• Parents will be able to share the remaining 50 weeks between them as they like

• Leave could be taken in turns or at the same time

• Maximum leave will remain 12 months, nine of them on guaranteed pay

• Couples will need to be "open" with employers and give them "proper notice"

• Paternity leave to remain at two weeks but to be reviewed in 2018

The changes have been broadly welcomed by maternity rights campaign group Maternity Action, but they continue to campaign for

• A four week ‘daddy month’ on top of existing entitlements

• Shared parental leave for fathers where the mother is self-employed or otherwise not entitled to maternity leave

• Shared parental leave can be taken flexibly: on a part time basis or in blocks of time

• Clear rights to paid breastfeeding breaks and facilities
• Increased rates of statutory parental pay

They also point out that 30,000 women each year lose their jobs through pregnancy discrimination

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