United Kingdom government announces share plan for parental leave

Britain yesterday announced final details of a plan enabling couples to share parental leave after the birth of their child in a bid to help working mothers and give fathers more time with their children.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the proposals "challenge the old-fashioned assumption" that women should always be the parent that stays at home.

Working couples will be able to share any remaining leave and pay they have after the two-week recovery period mothers must take off after birth, according to details of the scheme published by the government.

At the moment, new mothers can take a maximum of 52 weeks off while fathers are entitled to two weeks of statutory paternity leave.

Mothers are entitled to 90 per cent of their average weekly earnings for the first six weeks after childbirth, followed by £136.78 (HK$1,730) a week for the next 33 weeks.

Under the new plans, due to come into effect in April 2015, parents will be able to share the remaining 50 weeks of leave and pay immediately after the birth.