‘No parent will be forced to choose’ - New parental leave rights welcomed in Exeter

Exeter’s MP has welcomed new day-one parental leave rights announced by the government, which are set to come into force from April.

Labour MP Steve Race said the changes would ensure no parent was forced to choose between spending time with their new baby and keeping their job, describing the reforms as a significant step forward for working families.

“I’m really pleased to see these new rights for parents introduced as part of the Government’s widespread reforms to workers’ rights,” he said.

The announcement, made on Sunday, January 11, confirms that millions of workers across the UK will become eligible for parental leave from the first day in a new job. The government estimates more than 18 million people will benefit from stronger protections at work, with those in insecure employment gaining the most.

Under the new rules, parents will no longer need to meet a qualifying period before being able to take unpaid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. Ministers say the change will prevent families from having to make what they describe as a “heart-wrenching choice” between caring for a newborn and returning to work to avoid losing their job.

Mr Race said the reforms would have a direct impact on families in Exeter.

“The new day-one right to parental leave will mean no parent will be forced to choose between spending time with their new baby and keeping their job,” he said.

The changes will also see an estimated 32,000 more fathers a year become eligible for paternity leave immediately, bringing their rights into line with maternity leave. In addition, a new Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave will be introduced from April, giving up to 52 weeks of leave to parents who lose their partner before their child’s first birthday.

Mr Race said this would provide vital protection for families at their most difficult moments.

“The introduction of Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave will protect grieving parents by law, rather than relying on the compassion of employers to allow them time off to care for their child,” he said.

The reforms stem from the recently passed Employment Rights Act and form part of the government’s wider Plan to Make Work Pay, which aims to improve job security, boost productivity and raise living standards.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the changes would ensure working people had the basic rights and security they deserve.

“For too long, working people were left without the basic rights and security they deserve,” he said. “That ends now.”

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said no one should have to worry about losing pay or their job when their baby arrives, adding that the measures would help ensure economic growth was “felt by working people in every part of the UK”.

The government is also continuing its Parental Leave and Pay Review, which is examining how maternity, paternity and shared parental leave can work better for both parents and employers.

Mr Race encouraged local residents to engage with the review.

“The Government’s ongoing Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering innovative ways to make life work better for both parents and employers,” he said. “I’d encourage anyone in Exeter with ideas or experiences to share to get in touch.”

Statutory instruments implementing the parental leave and paternity leave changes have been laid in Parliament today (January 12), with the new day-one rights expected to take effect from April.