NCT Welcomes New Parental Leave Announcements

Released on 28/01/2010

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                NCT Press Statement

28^th January 2009

 NCT Welcomes New Parental Leave Announcements

Background 

Today the Government has announced plans to extend parental leave to 12 months, leaving it up to the parents to decide who takes the leave.

Quote

Elizabeth Duff, Public Policy Officer, NCT says:

“NCT welcomes the Government’s plans for shared parental leave. Providing more attractive leave options for fathers enables them to take time off paid work at a crucial stage in family life. It also allows parents flexibility about childcare after the baby is six months old. The current situation undermines the importance of parenthood for fathers, and reduces opportunities for dads to spend time with their children, which can help to strengthen and balance the family structure. These new Government proposals allow greater sharing of the responsibility for parenting of very young children. However, the NCT would also like to see the 12 months of parental leave to be paid in full, whether taken by mother or father. Every day off work needs to be paid otherwise it is only an option for those who can afford it.”  

ENDS

For further press information contact NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk  For out of hours, please call 07722 839 428. The NCT has ISDN line on 020 8992 6499 – please call Press Office first to book.

For further press information contact NCT Press Office on 020 8752 2404 or email press@nct.org.uk  For out of hours, please call 07722 839 428. The NCT has ISDN line on 020 8992 6499 – please call Press Office first to book.

The NCT - the National Childbirth Trust - is the UK’s leading charity on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood – we’re with parents all the way from bump to baby. Each year the charity supports thousands of parents through a life-changing experience, offering expert information and trusted practical and emotional support through a network of 300 local branches, helplines, classes and breastfeeding counselling and we campaign for improvements to maternity care. For more information call NCT on 0300 330 0770 or visit http://www.nct.org.uk/