The Liberal Democrats have pledged to provide more “support to families” which will help to “boost our economy.”
The party’s Scottish deputy leader Wendy Chamberlin said that they intend to increase statutory maternity pay to £350 a week.
Also, the Lib Dems are planning to increase paternity pay to 90% of the workers earnings and will create “dad month” to use it or lose it for fathers to have leave.
Chamberlin said that parent will be eligible for the benefits from the fist day of their employment, those who are self-employed could also be able to benefit from this, PA news agency reports.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader said, “Millions of parents are being denied the choice to spend more time at home during that all-important first year with their child because the UK still lags behind other countries on shared parental leave.
“Many mothers and fathers are being forced back to work early because they simply can’t afford to take more time off.
“Not only would our plans provide much-needed support to families, they would also boost our economy by driving down the gender pay gap and helping parents return to work if they want to.”
She added, “Our proposals would overhaul parental leave to offer families real flexibility, giving them a genuine choice over how to manage things in the first months of their child’s life.”
