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This briefing provides an overview of a range of key statutory employment rights in Great Britain, including unfair dismissal, deduction from wages and working time.
This briefing provides an overview of a range of key statutory employment rights in Great Britain, including unfair dismissal, deduction from wages and working time.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the costs and benefits of paid paternity leave, with reference to the comparative costs and benefits in European countries with a higher level of take-up, including Germany and Spain.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the costs and benefits of paid paternity leave, with reference to the comparative costs and benefits in European countries with a higher level of take-up, including Germany and Spain.
The Government is considering a range of evidence on the costs and benefits of parental leave and pay as part of the ongoing Parental Leave and Pay Review. This includes evidence from other countries, including European countries such as Germany and Spain, which have different parental leave and pay systems and higher levels of fathers’ leave take-up.
The costs and benefits of paid paternity leave depend on the design of the entitlement, including its duration, payment rate and take-up. The Government has not yet reached conclusions on potential reforms. The Review is expected to report in early 2027, setting out next steps for taking forward any reforms to implementation.
What does evidence suggest about the economic effects of policies supporting families with young children?
What does evidence suggest about the economic effects of policies supporting families with young children?
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure parity of baseline parental leave rights, including the standard two-week entitlement, for parents regardless of their partner’s leave arrangements.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to ensure parity of baseline parental leave rights, including the standard two-week entitlement, for parents regardless of their partner’s leave arrangements.
The Government is undertaking a Review of Parental Leave and Pay, which provides an important opportunity to consider whether the current system meets the needs of modern working families, including those who are self-employed.
The Review will conclude in early 2027, at which point the Government will set out its findings and next steps for any potential reforms.
Some employers choose to offer more than the statutory minimum pay, sometimes referred to as ‘occupational’ or ‘contractual’ parental pay. This is a matter between employers and employees.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, as part of the review of parental leave and pay, of the overall cost saving of ensuring kinship carers can remain in employment while caring for children who would otherwise be in local authority care.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, as part of the review of parental leave and pay, of the overall cost saving of ensuring kinship carers can remain in employment while caring for children who would otherwise be in local authority care.
The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all parental leave and pay entitlements as well as the support available for those who do not qualify for existing protections, such as kinship carers. Supporting economic growth through labour market attachment is one of the Review’s core objectives, as set out in the terms of reference.
The government is determined for this to be an evidence-based review and is taking a wide array of evidence, including on outcomes for children, into account. The Review is expected to report in early 2027, setting out next steps for taking forward any reforms to implementation.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether data on the long-term outcomes of children in kinship care as opposed to those who enter local authority care systems are informing the review of parental leave and pay.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether data on the long-term outcomes of children in kinship care as opposed to those who enter local authority care systems are informing the review of parental leave and pay.
The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all parental leave and pay entitlements as well as the support available for those who do not qualify for existing protections, such as kinship carers. Supporting economic growth through labour market attachment is one of the Review’s core objectives, as set out in the terms of reference.
The government is determined for this to be an evidence-based review and is taking a wide array of evidence, including on outcomes for children, into account. The Review is expected to report in early 2027, setting out next steps for taking forward any reforms to implementation.
Access to good parental leave is vital to create those initial family bonds, and I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House, especially in relation to our brave Navy personnel. I am aware that the question of increasing paternity leave is currently being reviewed within the...
Access to good parental leave is vital to create those initial family bonds, and I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this matter to the House, especially in relation to our brave Navy personnel. I am aware that the question of increasing paternity leave is currently being reviewed within the...
As Portsmouth is home to one of the largest concentrations of Royal Navy personnel, I regularly hear from service families and the charities supporting them that two weeks’ paternity leave is simply not enough, particularly when deployments can mean missing the birth of a child or losing the chance to...
As Portsmouth is home to one of the largest concentrations of Royal Navy personnel, I regularly hear from service families and the charities supporting them that two weeks’ paternity leave is simply not enough, particularly when deployments can mean missing the birth of a child or losing the chance to...
Once implemented, the Employment Rights Act will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and level the playing field for those businesses who are engaged in good practices. There are clear, evidence-based benefits of government action through the Act. Not acting would mean a...
Once implemented, the Employment Rights Act will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and level the playing field for those businesses who are engaged in good practices. There are clear, evidence-based benefits of government action through the Act. Not acting would mean a...
My Hon Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection) (Kate Dearden MP) has today made the following statement.
Once implemented, the Employment Rights Act will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and level the playing field for those...
My Hon Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection) (Kate Dearden MP) has today made the following statement.
Once implemented, the Employment Rights Act will raise the minimum floor of employment rights, raise living standards across the country and level the playing field for those...
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) parental leave allowances and (b) childcare entitlements for PhD students in the context of the parental leave and pay review.
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) parental leave allowances and (b) childcare entitlements for PhD students in the context of the parental leave and pay review.
The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all current and upcoming parental leave and pay entitlements, including the needs of working families who do not currently qualify.
There are a number of areas where there are clear links and interdependencies with the parental leave and pay system, including childcare provision. The Review will consider these in its policy development, but it is not within its scope to make findings on childcare entitlements.
Officials are working closely across government, including with the Department for Education and His Majesty’s Treasury. The Review will conclude in early 2027.
To ask His Majesty's Government what the breakdown is of the uptake of neonatal care leave and pay by (1) mothers, and (2) fathers, since 6 April 2025.
To ask His Majesty's Government what the breakdown is of the uptake of neonatal care leave and pay by (1) mothers, and (2) fathers, since 6 April 2025.
Parents cannot receive more than one statutory payment at the same time, meaning Statutory Neonatal Care Pay (SNCP) is often taken at the end of Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay. As mothers can receive up to 39 weeks of maternity pay, and SNCP was introduced from April last year, many eligible mothers will have been in receipt of maternity pay at the point the data was extracted and may not yet have claimed SNCP.
SNCP Claims in Tax Year 2025-26 | |
Gender | Cases |
Female | 200 |
Male | 1600 |
Notes:
1) Data collected using HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) and extracted in December 2025. RTI is subject to revision or updates.
2) Cases have been rounded to nearest 100.
3) Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.
To ask His Majesty's Government what the average length of neonatal care leave has been since 6 April 2025; and whether they will publish a breakdown of the number of parents taking neonatal care leave for each individual week of entitlement.
To ask His Majesty's Government what the average length of neonatal care leave has been since 6 April 2025; and whether they will publish a breakdown of the number of parents taking neonatal care leave for each individual week of entitlement.
HMRC does not receive data on exact claim duration. However, it is possible to estimate the duration of a claim based on total amounts of Statutory Neonatal Care Pay claimed. The average length of a claim is currently estimated at 2.3 weeks. The distribution of this is shown in the table below:
SNCP Claims in Tax Year 2025-26 | |
Estimated Claim Duration | Cases |
1 week | 800 |
2 weeks | 500 |
3 weeks | 200 |
4 weeks | 200 |
5 weeks | 100 |
6 weeks | 100 |
Notes:
1) Data collected using HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) and extracted in December 2025. RTI is subject to revision or updates.
2) Cases have been rounded to nearest 100.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many parents have (1) taken neonatal care leave, (2) received neonatal care pay, and (3) received both neonatal care leave and pay, since the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 came into force on 6 April 2025.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many parents have (1) taken neonatal care leave, (2) received neonatal care pay, and (3) received both neonatal care leave and pay, since the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 came into force on 6 April 2025.
HMRC does not hold information on (1) the number of parents that have taken Neonatal Care Leave and (3) the number of parents that have received both Neonatal Care Leave and Pay.
HMRC does hold data on Statutory Neonatal Care Pay provided by Real Time Information, HMRC’s database that holds Pay as You Earn information relating to employees. Using data from April-December 2025, an estimated 1,900 individuals were in receipt of Statutory Neonatal Care Pay. This data was extracted from HMRC’s Real-Time Information in January 2026 and is subject to revision or updates.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary regarding the application of merchant shipping regulations covering RFA merchant seafarers’ maternity and paternity rights.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary regarding the application of merchant shipping regulations covering RFA merchant seafarers’ maternity and paternity rights.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring that the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) maintains a positive, equitable workplace for all seafarers. RFA employees benefit from comprehensive employment rights and conditions well exceeding Maritime Labour Convention standards, including robust maternity, paternity and wider welfare provisions. The RFA’s commitment to fair treatment, safety and inclusive support ensures all personnel are protected throughout their service.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote equality as part of their Break Down Barriers to Opportunity mission.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote equality as part of their Break Down Barriers to Opportunity mission.
My Lords, our mission is to break the link between background and success, creating a Britain where ambition has no limits and opportunity is fair for all. That is why the recent Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper sets our ambition to raise standards for all children and to halve the disadvantaged attainment gap between poorer children and their peers at the end of secondary school, ensuring that where you come from does not determine where you are headed.
My Lords, our mission is to break the link between background and success, creating a Britain where ambition has no limits and opportunity is fair for all. That is why the recent Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper sets our ambition to raise standards for all children and to halve the disadvantaged attainment gap between poorer children and their peers at the end of secondary school, ensuring that where you come from does not determine where you are headed.
My Lords, our mission is to break the link between background and success, creating a Britain where ambition has no limits and opportunity is fair for all. That is why the recent Every Child Achieving and Thriving White Paper sets our ambition to raise standards for all children and to halve the disadvantaged attainment gap between poorer children and their peers at the end of secondary school, ensuring that where you come from does not determine where you are headed.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to promote equality as part of their Break Down Barriers to Opportunity mission.
I thank the Minister for her reply. Research shows that early years inequalities account for almost half of the disadvantage gap by the age of five, and that although the UK has historically high levels of employment overall, the Government have inherited nearly 1 million young people who are not in education, employment or training. Can the Minister say what cross-departmental strategy the Government are pursuing to ensure that children receive sustained support throughout childhood and adolescence, so that none risks falling through the gap at any stage?
I thank the Minister for her reply. Research shows that early years inequalities account for almost half of the disadvantage gap by the age of five, and that although the UK has historically high levels of employment overall, the Government have inherited nearly 1 million young people who are not in education, employment or training. Can the Minister say what cross-departmental strategy the Government are pursuing to ensure that children receive sustained support throughout childhood and adolescence, so that none risks falling through the gap at any stage?
As my noble friend rightly said, the routes to success in adulthood start early in life. For this reason, we are working with the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, DCMS and the Treasury to deliver our ambitious agenda to give every child the best start in life, to enable an inclusive school experience, and to help young people develop their skills and talents. Our best start in life strategy and the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set out how we are delivering on early years and post-16 commitments.
As my noble friend rightly said, the routes to success in adulthood start early in life. For this reason, we are working with the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, DCMS and the Treasury to deliver our ambitious agenda to give every child the best start in life, to enable an inclusive school experience, and to help young people develop their skills and talents. Our best start in life strategy and the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set out how we are delivering on early years and post-16 commitments.
As my noble friend rightly said, the routes to success in adulthood start early in life. For this reason, we are working with the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, DCMS and the Treasury to deliver our ambitious agenda to give every child the best start in life, to enable an inclusive school experience, and to help young people develop their skills and talents. Our best start in life strategy and the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set out how we are delivering on early years and post-16 commitments.
I thank the Minister for her reply. Research shows that early years inequalities account for almost half of the disadvantage gap by the age of five, and that although the UK has historically high levels of employment overall, the Government have inherited nearly 1 million young people who are not in education, employment or training. Can the Minister say what cross-departmental strategy the Government are pursuing to ensure that children receive sustained support throughout childhood and adolescence, so that none risks falling through the gap at any stage?
My Lords, the Government have pledged that 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs will be operational by April 2026, with at least one in every local authority. Is that pledge on track and, if so, how many are currently in use? How many will be in operation by April 2026, which is days away?
My Lords, the Government have pledged that 1,000 Best Start Family Hubs will be operational by April 2026, with at least one in every local authority. Is that pledge on track and, if so, how many are currently in use? How many will be in operation by April 2026, which is days away?
I will get back to the noble Lord with that detail. A lot of local authorities are repurposing existing provision. Some local authorities did better at keeping previous Sure Start centres than others, so the introduction will be a bit patchy. However, the ambition is clear, and we are determined to deliver our objectives.