Plans to Extend Maternity Pay Huge Boost for Working Families
Added: (Mon Sep 20 2004)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday 20 September 2004
PLANS TO EXTEND MATERNITY PAY HUGE BOOST FOR WORKING FAMILIES
Reports that the Government intends to extend maternity pay from 6 months to one year and to increase paternity pay were today welcomed by the Maternity Alliance, the national charity for pregnant women, new parents and babies under one.
Liz Kendall, Director of the Maternity Alliance said
“Extending paid maternity leave to one year will be a huge boost to working families. Too many parents, particularly mothers, currently feel forced to return to work before they’re ready because they can’t afford to take unpaid leave.
“A year’s paid leave will give them more choice about how to balance work and family responsibilities when their children are very young. This will be good for parents, good for babies and good for society as a whole.
“Allowing dads to share a portion of this leave, and increasing paternity pay, will also support fathers who want to play a bigger role in bringing up their children”
Ends
Notes to Editors:
1. The Maternity Alliance is a national charity that works to improve support for, and end inequality amongst, pregnant women, new parents and babies under one.
2. Women are currently entitled to 6 weeks maternity pay at 90% of their earnings followed by 20 weeks statutory maternity pay at £102.80 a week (or 90% of your average earnings if that is less). Women are also entitled to 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave but this is unpaid.
3. Men are currently entitled to 2 weeks paternity pay at £102.80 a week (or 90% of your average earnings if that is less).
Press Enquiries:
Liz Kendall, Director - 020 7014 1352 (office) 07957 625123 (mobile)
Ruba Sivagnanam, Head of Policy, Information and Campaigns – 020 7014 1354 (office) 07956 665071 (mobile)