Oral Question·Department for Business and Trade
“What recent progress he has made on improving parental rights at work.”
Tabled: 5 March 2026Answered: 12 March 2026
Asked by
Josh Newbury
Labour — Cannock Chase
Answering Minister
the Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Answer from Hansard
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Kate Dearden)
This Government are committed to strengthening rights for parents. In April, we are introducing bereaved partner’s paternity leave and making unpaid parental leave and paternity leave day one rights, bringing more than 1 million parents into scope. Next year, we will further improve protections for pregnant women and those returning from maternity leave, and the parental leave and pay review will conclude, giving us recommendations and informing our next steps.