SNP manifesto: Pledge to bring in paid 'daddy leave' and increase parental leave

The pledge is set out in the party’s manifesto, which was launched today by Nicola Sturgeon.
The SNP said it was offering to increase the provision of paid leave for both parents and promote shared parental leave.

Its manifesto states that it would seek to increase shared parental leave from 52 to 64 weeks, with the extra 12 weeks to be the minimum taken by the father in order to encourage an increase in shared parental leave.

The aim would be to introduce a principle of ‘use it or lose it’ – whereby the paternity leave cannot be transferred in order to encourage fathers to take the leave - while protecting maternity leave if a couple choose not to take advantage of the provision.

The manifesto said the policy would build on models successfully introduced in Scandinavia and, in particular, Iceland, to attempt to bring in legislation to encourage the take-up of shared parental leave.

The SNP’s pledges could only be met if the general election produces a hung parliament, and the SNP holds the balance of power in Westminster.

As parental leave is covered by employment law, which is decided by Westminster, the SNP would need to win the support of other parties or introduce a private members' bill to deliver this proposal.

Parents are currently entitled to convert up to 50 weeks of their 52-week maternity leave to shared parental leave, but take-up has been low.

Iceland introduced nine months parental leave in 2000, with three months earmarked fathers, three months for mothers, and the remaining three months available for both parents to share.

The SNP would also: