SNP manifesto: Pledge to bring in paid 'daddy leave' and increase parental leave

The pledge is set out in the party’s manifesto, which was launched today by Nicola Sturgeon.
The SNP said it was offering to increase the provision of paid leave for both parents and promote shared parental leave.

Its manifesto states that it would seek to increase shared parental leave from 52 to 64 weeks, with the extra 12 weeks to be the minimum taken by the father in order to encourage an increase in shared parental leave.

The aim would be to introduce a principle of ‘use it or lose it’ – whereby the paternity leave cannot be transferred in order to encourage fathers to take the leave - while protecting maternity leave if a couple choose not to take advantage of the provision.

The manifesto said the policy would build on models successfully introduced in Scandinavia and, in particular, Iceland, to attempt to bring in legislation to encourage the take-up of shared parental leave.

The SNP’s pledges could only be met if the general election produces a hung parliament, and the SNP holds the balance of power in Westminster.

As parental leave is covered by employment law, which is decided by Westminster, the SNP would need to win the support of other parties or introduce a private members' bill to deliver this proposal.

Parents are currently entitled to convert up to 50 weeks of their 52-week maternity leave to shared parental leave, but take-up has been low.

Iceland introduced nine months parental leave in 2000, with three months earmarked fathers, three months for mothers, and the remaining three months available for both parents to share.

The SNP would also:

• increase maternity leave to one year
• set maternity pay at 100 per cent of average weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks, then 90 per cent for 40 weeks or £150.00, whichever is lower.

The manifesto said, ‘Mothers are currently entitled to take a year for maternity leave yet are only entitled to maternity pay for 36 weeks, with just six weeks at 90 per cent pay. That is not fair and works against those on lowest incomes. It also means that parents, mainly mothers, who take a full year are also losing out on pension provision. We would therefore increase the provision of paid leave for both parents.’

The party also said that it intends to expand childcare in the school holidays for children from the poorest backgrounds.

As both education and childcare are devolved powers in Scotland, the SNP would not need Westminster backing for this pledge.