On 4 February 2013, the Children and Families Bill 2012-13 was introduced in the House of Commons.  If it becomes law it will introduce significant changes. The Bill will introduce a new system of shared parental leave. Under this system, an eligible mother will continue to receive 52 weeks’ maternity leave as a day one right. Following the completion of the two weeks of compulsory maternity leave, the mother can choose to end her leave early and share the remainder of her leave with her partner. There will also be new statutory payments for parents on shared parental leave with the same qualifying requirements that currently apply to statutory maternity and paternity pay.

The Bill, if it becomes law, will in addition allow partners of pregnant women and fathers of expected children unpaid time off to attend ante-natal appointments and prospective adoptive parents time off to attend adoption meetings. It will also extend the right to request flexible working arrangements to all employees and repeal the statutory procedure for considering such requests.