§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans her Department has to increase paid parental leave; and if she will make a statement. [186334]
§ Mr. SutcliffeThe Government introduced a substantial package of laws for working parents in April 2003, including increasing paid maternity leave, and a new right to paid paternity and adoption leave.
The Government are committed not to make any changes to the laws for working parents before 2006, after the impact of the existing legislation has been reviewed.
The DTI is taking forward a programme of work to explore what additional support could be provided to people balancing work and caring responsibilities, in ways that meet both individual and business needs. The work has included a series of round tables in England, Scotland and Wales and a Citizens' Jury.