The United Kingdom has one of the “worst statutory leave to fathers and other parents in the developed world,” warned the president of the Committee of Women and Equalities.
Sarah Owen said that the United Kingdom’s parental leave system “an urgent need for a overhaul to adapt to the reality of the life of the working parents”.
“The parental leave of the United Kingdom fell far behind most comparable countries,” she added.
His comments arise as a new report from his committee of the House of Commons have revealed that a maximum of two weeks of paternity leave is “completely out of step with the way in which most couples want to share their parental responsibilities” and “root the gender stereotypes exceeded on care”.
Explanteer: How the departure of paternity in the United Kingdom compared to other countries
The parental remuneration rate of the United Kingdom is “completely out of killer with the cost of living, has not followed the rate of inflation and is much lower than the rates in most comparable countries,” said the report.
The Committee of Women and Equality has urged the government to consider increasing the remuneration of paternity in terms of maternity in the first six weeks, which is equivalent to 90% of someone’s average profits.
Pic: Istock
He also called on the government to modify the bill on employment rights to legislate for a paid right of leave or to commit to “consider this vital change in its exam” in consultation with employers.
The report indicated that the parents who work “will be disappointed by a review which only leads to tinkering on the edges of the system”.
In its report, the Committee has also recommended a gradual introduction to increases in legal remuneration into the system to improve rates for all parents working up to 80% or more for average income or real salary.
Find out more Sky News:
Analysis: U-turn problems on winter fuel payments
Govt hires 14.2 billion sterling pounds at the new nuclear power plant
In addition, he urged the government to consider options to provide legal paid leave for all independent work fathers as part of its examination of the parental leave system, because the lack of disposition of independent fathers was “deeply unfair”.
The report suggests considering the introduction of a paternity allowance for independent fathers and other parents, similar to maternity allowance.
The next review in the parental leave system must examine the function and the need for eligibility rules, with a view to “simplifying or removing employment status, service time and profits criteria”, added the committee.