When Labour won the 2024 general election, parental leave reform was one of its promises to working families. The manifesto committed to reviewing the parental leave system within the first year of government and making parental leave a right from the first day of employment.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 has delivered on these commitments. From April 6, 2026, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave became day-one rights, removing longstanding service qualifying periods that had disproportionately excluded parents in newer or more precarious employment. A new entitlement for bereaved parents who lose their partner within the first year of their child’s birth provides up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave, addressing a significant gap in statutory provision for surviving partners.

But do these changes go far enough for families?

Statutory maternity and paternity pay has risen from £187.18 to just £194.32 a week, barely keeping pace with inflation. Fathers can now take paternity leave from their first day of employment, but statutory paternity pay remains subject to 26 weeks’ service, meaning many new starters will still take leave unpaid. Self-employed mothers can claim Maternity Allowance for up to 39 weeks, but no equivalent exists for self-employed........

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