The Government will set out new rights to take unpaid parental leave from day one of a new job on Monday, as well as announcing up to a year of leave if a parent loses their partner before their child turns one
Millions of workers who were previously denied time off for the birth of their child will get new parental leave rights under measures being set out on Monday.
Unions have welcomed the move, which will also see bereaved parents get up to a year of leave if they lose their partner before a child’s first birthday. At the moment affected families rely on the compassion of employers.
New reforms include the right to take Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day in a new job. The Government says this will give around 1.5 million parents more flexibility to share caring responsibilities.
This will take effect in April. Keir Starmer said: “For too long, working people were left without the basic rights and security they deserve. That ends now. The changes we’re bringing in will mean every new parent can properly take time off when they have a child, and no one is forced to work while ill just to make ends meet. This is about giving working families the support they need to balance work, health and the cost of living.”
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Campaigner Aaron Horsey, whose wife Bernadette died during childbirth, has welcomed the change. When the tragedy happened in 2022 he had no automatic right to paternity or parental leave because he had worked for his company for less than nine months.
This was despite being left in sole care of his newborn son Tim. He said: “Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave ensures that new parents and their employers have a clear route for support at one of the most difficult moments imaginable.
“It gives them the time and space they need to grieve, care, and begin to rebuild their lives with dignity. By embedding this protection in law, it shows how listening to lived experience can lead to practical, compassionate change that will support families for generations to come.”
The Government says the changes mean around 32,000 more dads per year will be entitled to Paternity Leave immediately, as a mother would with maternity leave.
It comes as the Government carries out a review into parental leave and pay, which is looking at a raft of ways to make the system work better. Officials estimate that around 390,000 people are out of work due to caring responsibilities, despite wanting a job, including parents.
The right to take Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day in a new job, is expected to give a further 1.5 million parents more flexibility to share caring responsibilities. The Government says that if even 1% of those out of work were able to take up a part-time job as a result of this move, it could boost economic output by around £150million a year.
UC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Britain will now be brought into line with other countries where workers already have better protections. And crucially, the legislation will give working people the higher living standards and secure incomes that are needed to build a decent life.
“Good employers will also welcome these changes.”
Simon Kelleher, Head of Policy and Influencing at Working Families, said: “Day-one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave are a positive step forward. Removing the 26-week qualifying period means parents can change jobs without losing essential leave entitlements, something we know has held many people back and can trap families in roles that no longer work for them.”