Overview

• Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has kicked off an 18-month, cross-departmental review to reset the UK’s maternity, paternity and shared parental leave framework.
• Officials describe the current system as overly complex and under-utilised, prompting a full examination of eligibility, pay rates and administrative barriers.
• Ministers will consider extending paternity pay beyond the two-week statutory provision and explore making paternity and unpaid parental leave day-one employment rights.
• Statutory paternity leave remains capped at two weeks paid at £187.18 per week or 90% of earnings, deterring one in three eligible fathers from taking time off.
• Consultations with parents, employers, MPs and campaigners will shape a roadmap of potential reforms aimed at supporting modern families, driving growth and closing gender gaps.