28 February 2005
Mothers are to be offered an extra three months paid maternity leave under new plans announced by the Government.
From April 2007 the right to paid leave will be extended from six to nine months - worth up to an extra £1400.
The goal is to extend the scheme to a year by the next Parliament.
Details have been released in a consultation paper published by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.
A new right for mothers to transfer a proportion of their maternity leave and pay to fathers will also be introduced.
The aim is to give more choice to mums and dads when caring for youngsters in their first year.
And parents of older school-age children will also be given the option to apply for more flexible working hours.
Patricia Hewitt said:
"It’s not the job of Government to tell mothers, or fathers, how to live their lives, but it is our job to give them more choices and more support so they can give their children the best start in life.
"Helping hard-working parents give their children the best start and giving carers greater help is not only good for families but is good news for our economic growth and prosperity."
Extra information
The consultation seeks the views of all interested parties - parents, unions, employers and their representatives. The closing date is 25 May.
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