Overview
- Statutory instruments have been laid in Parliament to remove qualifying periods for parental leave, with the changes scheduled to take effect from April 2026.
- Unpaid parental leave becomes a day-one entitlement in a new job, which the government estimates will give around 1.5 million parents greater flexibility to share childcare.
- Fathers and partners gain day-one eligibility for paternity leave, with about 32,000 more men each year able to access it immediately.
- A new Bereaved Partner’s Paternity Leave provides up to 52 weeks of leave when a partner dies before a child’s first birthday, addressing gaps faced by sole carers.
- Officials say over 18 million workers will benefit from the wider package, with up to 1.3 million more people gaining access to Statutory Sick Pay from day one as further regulations follow in the coming months, while unions back the moves and Conservatives warn of costs for business.