7^th July 2025

Equality Party calls on MPs to transform Parental Leave

The Equality Party today welcomed the government’s Call for Evidence into Parental Leave and Pay, and demanded that action is taken quickly to remove barriers faced by mothers who want to maintain their careers and fathers who want to be equal parents.

The Party wants to see six months of ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ paid parental leave at the Real Living Wage (currently £12.60 per hour) for both parents, in addition to 6 months maternity leave and an increase to a month’s paid paternity leave. This should apply to all types of parents including adoptive and same-sex couples.

Party Leader, Kay Wesley, said

“The current system of parental pay and leave is failing both families and the economy. The uptake of Shared Parental Leave is almost non-existent, mothers’ careers go off a cliff after childbirth, and fathers see no way they can afford to take a full role in parenting their children.”

The Government’s own review of Shared Parental Leave in 2024 showed that only 4% of fathers had taken it up, with affordability cited as the main reason. At around 25% of the median salary, maternity and paternity pay rates in the UK are among the lowest in the OECD countries.

Wesley continued:

“What we need is a system that values parenting for the vital work it is, and encourages both parents to participate fully, whilst allowing both to contribute as fully as they wish to in other sectors of the economy. This is the only way to close the gender pay gap and realise the potential of millions of parents, for the benefit of themselves, their families, and the country.

“This review is welcome, but we already know the solutions. What we need to see is action. We call on the government to put an uplift to parental leave and pay into the next budget, with further adjustments once the review is complete.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Members of the Leadership Team are available for interview.

The public can join the party’s campaign at www.equalityparty.org.uk

Government Parental Leave and Pay Call for Evidence: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/parental-leave-and-pay-review-call-for-evidence

Contact: press@equalityparty.org.uk

Kay Wesley: 07711 459740

The Party

The Equality Party aims to unite people from diverse backgrounds to fight for equal rights and opportunities, so that everyone can contribute and thrive.

The Party has two elected Councillors in Cheshire, both on Congleton Town Council (Kay Wesley and Susan Mead). Another party member (David Renton) is a Community Councillor (non-political) in Edinburgh.

References:

Women’s Budget Group Parental Leave recommendations: https://www.wbg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Parental-Leave-WBG-Briefing-2024.pdf

 Government review of parental pay and leave – existing evidence https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/parental-leave-and-pay-review-call-for-evidence/parental-leave-and-pay-review-summary-of-existing-evidence

Image: Cllr Susan Mead of the Equality Party with young friends