Current parental leave provisions 'inadequate'

The parental leave arrangements in place in the UK are not adequate, it has been claimed.

According to independent thinktank Reform, such arrangements are "short-changing" the families that need it the most.

In a new report, the organisation claimed that under the present system, high-earning mothers are able to receive larger maternity payments than women on lower salaries.

To make this fairer, maternity leave should be made "flatter, fairer and flexible", it was suggested.

Reform stated that all working families in Britain should receive £5,000 over six months.

This, it said, would not cost the taxpayer any more than present arrangements.

Deputy director of Reform Elizabeth Truss said: "There is something wrong with a system when mothers on high incomes and gold-plated maternity leave also get most money from the taxpayer."

Based in London, Reform is a charitable organisation which aims to set out a better way to deliver public services in the UK and to enhance the country's economic prosperity.
ADNFCR-2353-ID-19270686-ADNFCR

17/07/2009 14:34

News category:

Return to News