Carmichael backs £2.4 billion Lib Dem plan to transform parental leave and double statutory maternity pay

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Orkney and Shetland, Alistair Carmichael, has today backed new Lib Dem plans to boost parental leave rights and double Statutory Maternity Pay to £350 a month.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has announced that the party’s manifesto will include an ambitious plan to transform parental leave, including doubling Statutory Maternity Pay to £350 a week and introducing a use-it-or-lose-it “dad month” of paid leave for new fathers. The party’s plans also include making paid parental leave day-one-rights at work, rather than the current 26 week period which means those in new jobs don't qualify, and extending them to self-employed parents.

The Liberal Democrats would increase paternity pay to 90% of earnings and create a new use-it-or-lose-it “dad month,” encouraging more fathers to take parental leave, to increase choice for families.

The Liberal Democrats have said that their £2.4 billion investment in parental leave would be paid for by a plan to clamp down on tax avoidance and evasion, recovering more of the £36 billion that is going uncollected every year under the Conservatives. 

Mr Carmichael said:

“I am glad that the Liberal Democrats are taking a lead on improving parental rights at work. People across the country, including in the isles, have felt the growing challenges in starting a family, from any number of personal and economic pressures. Improving maternity and paternity leave opportunities is only one part of the puzzle in making it easier to have children but it is a necessary part of it.

“I hope that other parties will back these proposals. Helping out hard-pressed families has to be a priority for us all, both in improving the lives of young parents and their children, and in making our economy and worker rights work for everyone.”

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Millions of parents are being denied the choice to spend more time at home during that all-important first year with their child, because the UK still lags behind other countries on shared parental leave.

“Many mothers and fathers are being forced back to work early because they simply can’t afford to take more time off. 

“The Liberal Democrats’ proposals would give new parents the choice and flexibility they need, backed up by a package of proper support. We would boost statutory pay for new parents, alongside a new ‘dad month’ to help more fathers take time off work to be with their new baby during that first year, giving mums a better career boost.”