UK parental leave reforms deliver on promises but fall short on ambition and equality
By
Anna Tarrant
Summary
The article examines the UK government's parental leave reforms under the Employment Rights Act 2025, which make paternity leave and unpaid parental leave day-one rights from April 2026. While acknowledging these as delivered promises, the piece argues the reforms were not bold enough — mothers still bear the majority of care work, fathers are largely excluded or pushed toward unpaid leave, and the system fails to address deeper structural inequalities in caregiving.
Source
bskyUK parental leave reforms deliver on promises but fall short on ambition and equalitytcnv.linkKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe 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.
Mothers still bear the majority of care work and fathers are still largely excluded or pushed to take unpaid leave.
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