Petition · past parliament · Department for Business and Trade
Reform maternity, paternity, shared parental & adoption leave and pay
Closed
192 signatures
What the petition asks
Introduce a single entitlement to one year of leave per family. This would be shared as preferred by the parents, with an equal split as the default.
All leave should be paid at usual salary, partly funded by the government, and partly by the employer (with larger employers contributing more).
All leave should be paid at usual salary, partly funded by the government, and partly by the employer (with larger employers contributing more).
The gender pay gap is mostly driven by women reducing time at work to care for children. Many young couples want to share work and childcare more equally but find it financially difficult with the current government policy. Reform can support more gender equal parenting, enabling more active fatherhood and empowering women at work.
Additionally, birth rates are at a historic low. Urgent action is needed so young people can afford to have kids, including well-paid parental leave.
Additionally, birth rates are at a historic low. Urgent action is needed so young people can afford to have kids, including well-paid parental leave.
Timeline
| 19 May 2023 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 19 Nov 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
192
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Business and Trade
Opened
19 May 2023
Closed
19 Nov 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.