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Published: 08 February 2006

Work and Families: Choice and Flexibility

The Government has published its draft proposals to amend the Maternity and Adoption Leave Regulations and the Flexible Working Regulations, following commitments made in the Government’s Response to the Work and Families Consultation in October 2005.

The Government’s intention is that:

· maternity & adoption regulations will apply to the parents of children expected to be born, or placed for adoption, on or after 1 April 2007, and

· the flexible working regulations will apply from April 2007.

Because several of the commitments will be delivered through secondary legislation (regulations), they are publishing these regulations in draft to give stakeholders the opportunity to comment and to seek views on some remaining areas of detail, before final regulations are presented to Parliament later in 2006.

The government’s commitments include:

· Extending maternity and adoption pay from six to nine months from April 2007, towards the goal of a year's paid leave by the end of the Parliament.

· Extending the right to request flexible working to carers of adults from April 2007.

· Giving fathers a right to up to 26 weeks Additional Paternity Leave some of which could be paid, if the mother returns to work. Introducing measures to help employers manage the administration of leave and pay and plan ahead with greater certainty from April 2007;

· Helping employers and employees benefit from improved communication during maternity leave.

The consultation closes on 18 April 2006.

Further information

Choice and Flexibility: Draft regulations on Maternity & Adoption Leave and Flexible Working

Work and Families Bill

Response to the Work and Families Consultation

Information and Advice for employers

Legislation on leave and pay rights for working parents

Flexible Working Regulations

DTI: Flexible working: The right to request and the duty to consider. A guide to employers and employees