Employers align with the Government on parenthood leave, working hours, and job cuts; unions dig their heels in, unwilling to yield
In the realm of labour legislation, the UK government has put forth proposals that aim to extend and strengthen parental leave rights, as detailed in the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill (ERB) and associated parental leave review. These proposals include making paternity leave and unpaid parental leave "day one" rights, increasing statutory paid paternity leave to six weeks, enhancing dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, simplifying shared parental leave, and extending parental leave entitlements [1][2][4].
The government also plans to consider statutory paid leave options for self-employed and non-employee working fathers, with the intention of incentivizing greater gender equality in parenting responsibilities by raising paternity pay to approach maternity pay levels (90% of average earnings in the first six weeks, eventually targeting 80% or more of average earnings overall) [1][4].
However, these proposals have not been met with universal approval. The Union of Workers and Technicians (UGT), a prominent union, has expressed criticism, deeming the proposals discriminatory and a step backwards in the rights of women and families [3]. This criticism stems from a broader political context and related legislative actions that appear to undermine support for pregnant and parenting individuals in other areas.
For instance, recent legislative changes under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," aligned with Project 2025 policies, have been criticized for cutting healthcare, food assistance, and education programs supporting pregnant and parenting students—effectively harming a vulnerable group of more than 3 million student parents, many of whom face food insecurity, housing instability, and lack affordable child care [3].
Journalists Anabela Campos and Cátia Mateus have reported on these proposed changes, highlighting that they are not the only points of contention in the labour legislation reform. The outcome of the debate on the labour legislation reform could have significant implications for workers' rights and family policies [5].
The journalists suggest that there is a need for further discussion and negotiation regarding the government's proposals, as employers are advocating for the government's proposals to be more extensive, particularly in regards to dismissal matters [3]. The government's parental leave proposals focus on extending and strengthening rights with an emphasis on gender equality and broader inclusion (including self-employed fathers), while criticism focuses on perceived contradictions in other government measures that disproportionately impact pregnant and parenting individuals negatively, especially those in disadvantaged or precarious positions [3].
Sources:
[1] DLA Piper Knowledge (2025-07-09) [2] TLT LLP Insight (2025-07-31) [3] NWLC Analysis (2025-07-29) [4] DLA Piper Knowledge (2025-07-09) [5] Journalists Anabela Campos and Cátia Mateus (unspecified source)
- The UK government's Employment Rights Bill (ERB) includes proposals to enhance and extend parental leave rights, aiming for gender equality in parenting responsibilities.
- Critics, such as the Union of Workers and Technicians (UGT), argue that these proposals may lead to a step backwards in women's and families' rights, due to perceived contradictions in other government measures.
- Recent legislative changes aligning with Project 2025 policies have been criticized for cutting support for healthcare, food assistance, and education programs for pregnant and parenting students, affecting more than 3 million student parents.
- Journalists, Anabela Campos and Cátia Mateus, have noted that the labor legislation reform debate has multiple points of contention, with employers advocating for more extensive government proposals, particularly in dismissal matters.
