Raise parental leave limit for parents working at least 16 hours a week

24
signatures
closedDepartment for Work and PensionsOpened 15 December 2025Closed 15 June 2026

Background

We believe raising the parental leave limit for parents working at least 16 hours a week is particularly important for single parents. We want the parental leave limit to be raised to at least 4 weeks per year.

Additional details

Each parent can take up to 18 weeks of parental leave for each child until each child is 18 years old. This means that parents can only take on average one week of parental leave per year for their child. There are six weeks of summer vacation per year, two weeks off for Christmas, and two weeks for Easter. Additionally, there are four half-terms per year, each with a week off. There are roughly 14 weeks off from school per year. It's impossible for parents to take that much leave.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 748370.