§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce a statutory right to adoption leave for parents with a newly adopted child; and if she will make a statement. [110776]
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§ Alan JohnsonNew statutory rights to leave and pay for parents adopting a child came into effect on 6 April this year.
Eligible employees who adopt will be able to take 52 weeks' adoption leave, beginning around the time their child is placed with them for adoption. Eligible adopters will receive Statutory Adoption Pay for up to 26 weeks.
Eligible employees who adopt, or are the partner of an adopter, can take one or two weeks' (their choice) paternity leave around the time the child is placed for adoption. If they are eligible they will receive Statutory Paternity Pay during that time.
Where a couple adopts they are able to choose which of them will take adoption leave and which will take paternity leave.
Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay are both paid at £100 per week or 90 per cent. of average weekly earnings if this is less than £100.
Guidance for employers and employees and further information about these new rights is available from the Department of Trade and Industry's website, www.dti.gov.uk/workingparents.