The Government recognises and values the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice shown by special constables in their work, alongside other policing volunteers. The Home Office continues to work closely with policing partners, particularly the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing on the Citizens in Policing Programme and the National Strategy for the Special Constabulary. These partnerships support the development of a national approach to the attraction, retention and training of special constables

There are no plans to publish national parental leave policies and flexible working policies which apply to special constables. It is a matter for each police force to decide how best to support and reward special constables in the form of allowances, expenses or other benefits, as part of their retention and attraction plans. National guidance is set by the College of Policing and Home Office on expenses and allowance rates for special constables - Special constables: expense and allowance rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

I can confirm the same rule applies to people on all forms of parental leave (including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave) unless they are expected to return to work within 31 days of the date in which their leave started. Parents remain eligible for Tax-Free Childcare for children other than the child that is the subject of the parental or adoption leave.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service recognise that sometimes it may be difficult for some people to serve on the date originally summoned. Jurors are given the opportunity when responding to their summons to apply for a deferral to a more suitable date within the next twelve months.

Deferral and excusal applications are considered by summoning officers at the Jury Central Summoning Bureau (JCSB). Each application for deferral/excusal is considered on its own merit, in a way that is both fair to the individual and consistent with the needs of the court in providing a representative jury.

Guidance on applications for excusal or deferral in relation to breastfeeding or maternity or parental leave states that officials should consider these applications sympathetically, with deferral considered in the first instance. Breastfeeding a child would be considered a valid reason for deferring jury service. A juror could apply for an excusal if they were still unable to serve as the new date approached.