17-03-2008
Tories announce new proposals on parental leave
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The UK's Conservative party has announced new proposals to increase the current allowances for parent leave.
Benefitting new parents, the party's proposals could allow parents to take joint time off from work, up to a maximum total of 26 weeks.
Specifically, while women would be required to take leave for the first 14-week period, the remaining period could be taken on a flexible basis; while the mother could return to work and the father could stay at home, the option of both parents taking time off would also be available.
"The world is changing. Men want to be more involved in bringing up their children. That's why flexibility is a really good thing," said David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party.
Meanwhile, Susan Anderson, director of human resources policy at the Confederation of British Industry, added in a report by Personnel Today: "The Tories' proposals to consult employers on simplifying and reducing the costs of administering parental leave are welcome."
David Cameron has been both leader of the opposition and leader of the Conservative party since his appointment in December 2005.