The proposals, which are included in the Children and Families Bill, currently gong through Parliament, are intended to give parents more choice about how to share the care of their baby, whether they are at home together or work at different times.
Ministers want to encourage fathers to play a greater role in the first few months of their child’s life.
From April 2015, employers will need to offer fathers statutory pay.
The Government consulted on the plans in February and has published its response to the consultation today.
Nick Clegg said, ‘We need to challenge the old-fashioned assumption that women will always be the parent that stays at home – many fathers want that option too. That is why from April 2015 we’re introducing shared parental leave to allow couples to make that decision jointly ensuring all career options remain open to women after pregnancy.’
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