WEC publishes report on UK parental leave system
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) has published a report evaluating the UK’s parental leave system. It identifies key shortcomings, including low statutory parental pay, limited paternity leave, and complex eligibility criteria for shared parental leave (SPL). The report finds that the statutory pay rate—significantly below the National Living Wage—creates financial hardship and discourages uptake, particularly among fathers and other parents. The WEC recommends a series of reforms. While acknowledging the direct fiscal impact, it argues that the wider social and economic benefits, such as those achieved through increasing mothers’ labour market attachment and career progression and narrowing the household gender pay gap, would justify the investment. The government has two months to respond.