Loughborough’s MP Andy Reed today gave his backing for a new proposal to offer working mums an extra three months' paid maternity leave and give a share of their maternity leave to dads too- a total package worth almost £1400 to a working family. The plans are outlined in a consultation paper published by the Government this week.

The consultation includes proposals to:

* Extend maternity pay and adoption pay from six months to nine months by in two years time, with the goal of a year's paid leave in five years time.

* Introduces a new right for mothers to switch some of their paid maternity leave to fathers, giving more choice to mums and dads when caring for their children in the first year;

* Consider extending the right to request flexible working hours to parents of older children.

Reed said:

“I want to make sure parents who work and those that stay at home get a better deal in the vital first year of their babies life. So I welcome this consultation over longer maternity pay and giving fathers the chance to share their families maternity pay.

“This is good for employers too. At a time of record employment levels, employers need to do all they can to hold on to good staff, and longer maternity leave, better childcare provision and tax credits and chilcare vouchers makes it easier for working mums to be able to return to work after having their baby.

“I believe that these proposals make sense for families in Loughborough, but I want to hear what you think. I’m asking local parents to give their views as part of this consultation. If you want to have a voice in the setting of this policy, please get in touch with my office at 21 Fennel Street, Loughborough, www.andyreedmp.org.uk or ‘phone 01509 261226.”

This Government has already introduced the biggest ever package of measures to support working parents. The 2003 Employment Bill introduced paid paternity leave, increased maternity pay, extended maternity leave to a year for most mothers, and created a new right to request flexible working for fathers and mothers.

-Ends-

Notes for Editors:

1. Today's consultation, outlined in the 2004 Pre-Budget Report, fulfils the Government's commitment to families:

* Ensure every child has the best start in life;
* Respond to changing patterns of employment; and
* Give parents and carers more choice

2. The government's Consultation paper "Work and families: choice and flexibility" is available at http://www.dti.gov.uk/workandfamilies. The closing date for responses is 25 May 2005.