First 1001 Days Movement submits to the parental leave and pay review

We have recently submitted evidence to the Government as part of its parental leave and pay review. 

Our submission highlights that current parental leave and pay arrangements do not adequately support the Government’s objective of ensuring babies receive the best start in life. Evidence shows that accessible, sufficient, and financially viable parental leave is linked to stronger parent–infant relationships. It also shows improved parental mental health, higher breastfeeding rates, better early health outcomes, reduced infant mortality, and stronger long-term development. 

However, too many parents—particularly those on lower incomes—are unable to take the leave they need. Many mothers earning under £20,000 are unable to take maternity leave at all, and up to 40% of fathers take no paternity leave. Financial barriers, limited entitlements, and cultural norms around leave-taking continue to restrict families’ ability to bond with their babies during the crucial early months. 

Our submission calls for: 

• A more generous and equitable offer for fathers and second parents, including six weeks of properly paid, non-transferable paternity leave at 90% of earnings, with day-one eligibility for all. 

• Protection of existing maternity entitlements, ensuring improvements for fathers and partners do not come at the expense of mothers. 

• Reforms that broaden access and fairness, including better support for self-employed parents, single parents and kinship carers, and options to reallocate leave to nominated carers. 

Babies’ healthy development depends on parents and carers having the time, financial security and support they need to form strong early bonds. The parental leave policy is a vital part of this foundation, but current arrangements fall short for many families. We are calling for the  Government to use this review to deliver reforms that put babies’ wellbeing at the centre—ensuring all families can provide the nurturing relationships that shape lifelong health and opportunity. 

You can read our full submission here.