Our policy asks

Parental leave should be reformed so that it is more accessible for fathers/ partners and all new parents regardless of whether they are an employee, worker, or self-employed. Reforms should provide fathers/partners with their own increased (non-transferable) blocks of leave, and ensure that all mothers and fathers/partners are able to take the leave they need by setting statutory pay at levels that make it affordable.

As an absolute minimum, we expect the next government to improve paternity pay to 90% of salary (capped) for the existing two weeks of paternity leave – to ensure new fathers and partners can afford to take it – and to encourage more employers to enhance parental leave. The government should additionally undertake a review of new parent leave which sets a long-term plan to increase statutory pay to an affordable level for lower income families, examines how to expand coverage to groups not currently eligible for statutory pay (such as those who are self-employed), and provides fathers and partners with opportunities to take longer periods of leave.

The Government must fund new and existing childcare provision at rates that are sustainable for the early years sector, allowing them to meet increased demand and ensuring that sufficient childcare provision is available throughout the UK. In the next Parliament, the Government should set out a long-term plan to reduce the costs of childcare for parents, which ensures that parents have access to childcare for at least 48 weeks of the year, and which supports lower income families with wrap-around care options.

There should be an abundant supply of high-quality and flexible opportunities in the labour market. Employment policy should make it easier for workers to access flexible working arrangements so that every parent and carer can work flexibly if they choose. Flexibility should be at the heart of job design for all roles, and employers should advertise whether roles can be performed flexibly when hiring, unless there are good reasons not to. The government should encourage public sector employers to trial designing and advertising all jobs to have flexible options, and to report on the results. 

Carers Allowance should be raised, alongside the earnings limit, to enable more carers to stay in work. Similarly, means-tested benefits associated with caring, particularly the Carer Element of Universal Credit, should be raised.

The five week wait for UC support should be reduced, and the childcare element extended to those returning to work after taking maternity leave (not just for those starting new jobs or increasing their hours). A review of income replacement schemes should also be undertaken.

The Government should review making caring the 10th protected characteristic under the 2010 Equality Act to ensure that those with caring responsibilities are better protected in the workplace. The Department for Business & Trade and Ministry of Justice should run a joint consultation exploring how early resolution services can be promoted to offer employees and employers an alternative to the tribunal system to resolve disputes.