Equality at work: paternity and shared parental leave

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 6 Dec 2024 Closed: 17 Sep 2025 Parliament page
Unequal division of childcaring responsibilities is a key driver of wider gender inequality and the gender pay gap. The Women and Equalities Committee is examining options for reform of the statutory shared parental leave scheme and statutory paternity rights with the aim of identifying the most effective ways of incentivising … Read more
14 Recommendations
9 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
19 Sep
2025
Report published
10 Jun
2025
Report published
1 Apr
2025
Oral evidence
1 Apr
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
25 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
25 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
26 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
26 Feb
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
1 Apr 2025
View on parliament.uk
Women and Equalities Committee
Claire McCartney · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Jonny Briggs · Aviva Nikki Pound · Trade Union Congress (TUC)
25 Mar 2025
View on parliament.uk
Women and Equalities Committee
Claire McCartney · Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Jonny Briggs · Aviva Nikki Pound · Trade Union Congress (TUC)
26 Feb 2025
View on parliament.uk
Women and Equalities Committee
Abby Jitendra · Joseph Rowntree Foundation Alex Lloyd Hunter · The Dad Shift Dr Gemma Mitchell · University of East Anglia Dr Sarah Forbes · The Equal Parenting Project Jemima Olchawski · The Fawcett Society Joeli Brearley · Pregnant Then Screwed Karla Capstick
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - Equality at work: Paternity and shared parental lea… HC 502 10 Jun 2025 23 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
6th Report - Equality at work: Pat…
Legislate for a day one right to paid paternity leave in the Employment Rights Bill
A key objective of reform of the paid parental leave system should be to promote equality. Maternity and paternity rights should be as equal as possible, to benefit mothers, fathers and families. We therefore welcome the Government’s intention to legislate … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to legislating for a day one right to unpaid paternity leave but rejects a day one right to paid paternity leave due to practical and financial challenges, stating the parental leave review will consider entitlements holistically.
Government Equalities Office
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12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
6th Report - Equality at work: Pat…
Evaluate effectiveness of local initiatives and commission schemes supporting fathers' caring roles nationwide.
There have been recent local initiatives, for example in Blackpool, Bradford, Lambeth, Nottingham and Southend, in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau’s A Better Start campaign, designed to support fathers to play a more equal role in parenting. This has … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the 'A Better Start' campaign and states it will invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme to support parents. As part of the parental leave and pay review, it will consider evidence from a wide range of stakeholders and has launched a call for evidence, but it doesn't specifically commit to commissioning 'A Better Start' type schemes nationally.
Government Equalities Office
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15 Recommendation Accepted in Part
6th Report - Equality at work: Pat…
Simplify or remove Shared Parental Leave's complex eligibility criteria to widen access.
The Government must consider steps to address flaws in SPL, increase take up and widen access. The Government’s review must examine the function and necessity of SPL’s complex eligibility criteria, with a view to simplifying or removing the employment status, … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to removing the requirement that Paternity Leave and Pay must be taken before Shared Parental Leave to offer more flexibility. However, the broader examination of SPL's complex eligibility criteria, with a view to simplifying or removing them and widening access, will be considered as part of the ongoing parental leave and pay review.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 14 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 8
Deferred 10
Total 14 recs + 9 conclusions