HC Deb 16 June 1998 vol 314 cc171-2W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if employees who apply for unpaid parental leave from work and whose incomes are low, will be able, under her proposals for extending parental leave, to receive state benefits. [46145]

Mr. Denham

The Government are keen to support a strong family-friendly culture in the workplace. Family-friendly employment policies are good for parents, good for children, good for business and good for the economy. We are working with employers, voluntary organisations and trade unions to promote family-friendly policies and encourage best practice. We are also introducing for the first time a framework of rights for employees—these rights will include time off for mothers and fathers at the time of birth, as well as time off for parents when their children are taken ill. The interaction between parental leave and benefit entitlement is being considered as part of our wider review of family-friendly working arrangements.