The Department for Business and Trade have introduced changes that will create greater flexibility for new fathers who are working.
Following a consultation in 2019, a new policy led by The Department for Business and Trade is hoping to move us a bit closer to a more equal system of parental leave.
From April 2024, an employed father will now be able to take their paternity leave in two non-consecutive periods, within 52 weeks of the birth of their child or placement for adoption.
This essentially means that a father will be able to split their leave, for example taking one week as baby is born and reserving the second week for later within the first year of the birth.
We admit that this isn’t a HUGE step in the evolution of an equal parental leave and pay system, however we are hopeful that this is a sign of more positive changes to come in future…
HMRC estimate that updated guidance will be available around 8th March 2024.
