Parental leave overhaul: what the government’s ‘landmark’ review could mean for mums and dads
The system’s finally being looked at — but change could take up to 18 months
The government has announced a long-awaited review of the UK’s parental leave and pay system — and it could lead to major changes for new mums, dads and second parents.
The system, which hasn’t been updated in decades, has been criticised for being too complicated, unfair to dads and non-birthing partners, and for failing to reflect how modern families live and work.
Why is this review happening now?
According to the government, the current parental leave system is “really confusing”, with eight different types of leave to navigate. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Breakfast: “It’s not particularly generous or supportive compared to other countries.”
He also pointed out that one in three dads don’t take any paternity leave at all, and “hardly anyone” takes up the option of shared parental leave.
The review, expected to take around 18 months, will look at how maternity, paternity and shared parental leave are currently structured — and whether the system needs a full redesign.
This follows a scathing June report from MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee, which called the UK’s current parental leave setup “one of the worst in the developed world” and said bold reform is urgently needed.
What’s wrong with the current system?
If you’re a mum or birthing parent, statutory maternity leave gives you up to 52 weeks off, with 39 of those paid. Pay starts at 90% of your weekly earnings (before tax) for six weeks, then drops to £187.18 a week — or 90% of your earnings again, whichever is lower — for the remaining 33 weeks.
But if you’re self-employed or earning under £125 a week, you may not be eligible at all.
For dads and second parents, paternity leave is limited to just two weeks — and the pay is the same low rate. That’s less than half the National Living Wage, which helps explain why many simply can’t afford to take time off.
Shared parental leave, introduced in 2014, allows couples to split up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay. But take-up is low — again, partly because of the financial hit.
Campaigners say the system penalises dads, marginalises different family structures and leaves many self-employed parents without support.
Campaigners welcome the move — but say action is overdue
George Gabriel, co-founder of parenting equality group The Dad Shift, called the government’s move a “best chance in a generation to improve the system and make sure it actually works for working families”.
He described the original introduction of paternity leave under the last Labour government as “groundbreaking”, but said it’s since fallen far behind: “By remaining unchanged, it’s become the least generous in Europe.”
Rachel Grocott, chief executive of maternity rights charity Pregnant Then Screwed, said boosting parental leave “would help close the gender pay gap and give children the best start in life,” calling investment in the system “a no-brainer”.
What could actually change — and when?
The review will focus on statutory leave — the legal minimum employers must offer — rather than extra perks some companies choose to add on.
It’s still early days, and any big reforms will require significant funding. While many campaigners are hopeful, there’s also concern about how much change will actually come — especially given the 18-month timeline.
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith responded cautiously, warning against extra costs for employers and saying: “If you’ve no job in the first place, it doesn’t matter how much family leave you get.”
What this means for your family
For now, nothing’s changing overnight — but if you’re planning a family or currently expecting, it’s worth keeping an eye on this review. It could lead to more flexible leave, fairer pay structures and stronger support for both mums and dads.
With many families relying on both parents’ incomes and childcare becoming ever more complex, this could be the start of a much-needed shift in how the UK supports new parents.
As Gabriel puts it, “We’re delighted with the review and ambitious for the change to come.”
Read more:
- Women’s health still sidelined, warn doctors, as government plan misses gender gap pledge
- Royal College of Midwives says NHS plan offers ‘hope’ – but warns delivery must include midwives and mums
- ‘Incredibly concerned’: experts slam government’s 10-Year Health Plan for ignoring birth trauma and consent
Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.