New dads to get eight months paternity leave

Paternity leave laws are getting a shake-up in a bid to develop “modern work places that reflect modern Britain”.

Business secretary Vince Cable, who made the comment, is backing plans to increase paternity leave allowance by four weeks from 54 to 58 weeks. If the plans, which are subject to a 12-month consultation period, become law under the Additional Paternity Leave rules, men will get a guaranteed six weeks paid leave while mothers will get five months.

As it stands, mothers get paid £128 per week for 39 weeks and can then take a further 13 weeks unpaid. Since April, fathers have been able to take up to six months paid leave if the mother returns to work before her paid leave is up.

In addition to the proposed new laws, parents will be able to share a further three months paid leave and four months unpaid in plans that, if approved, will be put in place over the next four years.