NEW FAMILY FRIENDLY PROPOSALS

Following extensive consultation, yesterday the Government announced its proposals to be contained in the new “Work and Families Bill”.
 
Alan Johnson, the Trade and Industry Secretary, has said the reforms are intended to ensure every child has the best start in life, whilst minimising the burden on businesses.  However, the Bill has been met with criticism, in particular from small businesses, who maintain they are already struggling to cope with the impact of flexible working for parents.

The new measures in the Bill, and forthcoming legalisation, include;
 
· From April 2007, extending statutory maternity pay from 6 to 9 months, with a proposal to extend this to 1 year by the end of next Parliament.
 
· Extending the right to request flexible working to carers of adults from April 2007. The Government will consult on the definition of “carer” early next year.
 
· Extending fathers’ rights to paternity leave, allowing them to take up to 6 months unpaid paternity leave during the child’s first year, with paternity pay at the flat rate - in circumstances where the mother returns to work after 6 months (but before taking her full entitlement to Statutory Maternity Pay). i.e. Mothers will be given the right to transfer paid leave to the Father.
 
· Extending the period of notice for early return from maternity leave from 28 days to 2 months.
 
· Introducing measures to help employers manage the administration of Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay.
 
· Introducing “keeping in touch days”, so that where employers and employees agree, a woman on maternity leave can return to work for a few days, without losing her right to maternity leave or maternity pay
 
 
The above proposals will appear in the Works and Families Bill, which will be published soon.

20th October 2005