Introduction to Newsletter 23.09.09

Written by Ian Congreave - Filed under: Editorials on September 23rd, 2009

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After months of rumour, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has opted for the cheapest and least burdensome option for introducing additional paternity leave and pay. Gone, at least for now, is the promised increase in paid maternity leave from 39 to 52 weeks. There was never going to be a large take-up of the extended paternity leave rights but even fewer fathers are likely to get excited about taking the final 13 weeks of additional paternity leave without any pay at all. And, even though the Government is not keeping its promise to introduce the new rights before the end of the current Parliament, the legislation should be in place before the next elections and it is not a measure that a new government is likely to reverse.