CYP Now - Analysis: Work and Families Bill - Fear that costs outweighbenefits

The Government's Work and Families Bill promises improvements to maternity and paternity leave, but some children's groups are disappointed it has not gone far enough and businesses are fearful of the financial impact. Jo Stephenson reports.

Fathers could be able to take up to three months' paid leave to care fortheir babies under proposals in the Work and Families Bill, which wasunveiled last week. And the Government has signaled that dads would beentitled to six months' pay when paid maternity leave is extended to ayear before the next general election.

But while those working in children's services welcome the Bill'srecognition of the role fathers have to play in their offsprings' lives'some feel the changes will not be enough.

Jack O'Sullivan, co-founder of campaign group Fathers Direct, doubts theBill will cause a massive shift in parenting arrangements. TheGovernment's own figures, he points out, show that less than 20 per centof fathers take up the two weeks of paid leave they're currentlyentitled to.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included