Recommendation 5

A rapid review of the tax and benefits system for parents and carers of under-2s

• Government to recognise that supporting babies’ healthy development is equally important a policy objective as getting new parents back to work
• Parental choice to return to work to be supported
• Government to provide six weeks’ well-paid paternity and parental leave to help fathers play a more active role
• Training in infant mental health for nursery staff and all those working in paid settings caring for under-2s