Starmer hails parental leave changes as putting ‘dignity back at heart of work’
Why 1.5 million parents will benefit from new rights at work
- The Prime Minister has hailed upcoming changes to parental leave, part of Labour's Employment Rights Act, as restoring "dignity back at the heart of work".
- The reforms will introduce unpaid parental leave from an employee's first day, aiming to provide 1.5 million more parents with increased flexibility to share childcare responsibilities.
- From April, bereaved fathers and partners will also gain extended paternity leave rights, allowing up to 52 weeks if their partner dies before the child's first birthday.
- The landmark Employment Rights Act further includes day-one statutory sick pay, a ban on zero-hour contracts, and new protections for pregnant women and new mothers.
- While Labour and the TUC welcomed the legislation for improving workers' rights, the Conservatives criticised it, arguing it "piles on red tape" and could "destroy jobs".