Decision
Analysis
outcome: Recommendations Approved
summary: The decision is about advocating for enhanced paternity/second parent employment rights, including two weeks full paid paternity/second parent leave and a further flexible four weeks paid parental leave.
topline: The Council has decided to support enhanced paternity/second parent employment rights, including full paid paternity leave and flexible parental leave.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves advocating for changes in employment rights and may have financial implications for businesses.
affected_stakeholders: ["Parents", "New fathers", "Second parents", "Employers", "Local government employees"]
contentiousness_score: 6
political_party_relevance: The decision involves liaising with the Deputy Prime Minister and other government bodies, suggesting political influence on the decision.
URL: https://milton-keynes.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1641
Decision Maker:
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: RESOLVED: 1. That this Council recognises the role that all parents play in ensuring that children can grow up in a safe, secure and loving environment so that they can succeed in life. 2. That this Council notes the: a) leading role we have played as an authority in pioneering formal parental leave for councillors as new parents; b) need for local government to ensure it offers the best employment practices to attract and retain the best officers to deliver the best services for local residents; and c) leadership role local authorities play in leading by example in employment practices for other public sector and private businesses. 3. That this Council further notes that: a) the parental leave rights in the United Kingdom lag behind those in other comparable European and highly-developed economies; and b) new fathers and second parents are entitled to two weeks paid parental leave at the Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) level of £187.18 a week. 4. That this Council believes that: a) new fathers and second parents should be able to take time off work when their new baby is born; b) children and parents would strongly benefit by ensuring early bonding; c) new fathers or second parents should not need to worry about choosing between bonding with their new child and financial security; and d) employers and businesses benefit from enhanced employment rights through higher productivity, better staff retention and recruitment. 5. That this Council therefore: a) supports “Joy of Six,” campaign by The Fatherhood Institute, The Dad Shift, Pregnant then Screwed, trade unions and others for enhanced paternity/second parent employment rights; b) supports the right to two weeks full paid paternity/second parent leave and a further flexible four weeks paid parental leave, at or near full pay, which can be taken at any time during the first year of a child’s life; and c) highlights that a growing number of private sector businesses already offer this flexibility, with some offering a full 52 weeks paternity/second parent leave at full or marginally reduced pay. 6. That this Council agrees to ask the Executive to liaise with the Chief Executive to: a) write to the Deputy Prime Minster to request that the aims of the “Joy of Six” campaign are considered as amendments to the UK Employment Rights Bill; b) write to South East Employers and the LGA to highlight the campaign and ask them to support it as an addition to the Green Book and other local government employment terms and conditions; and c) request that the Director of Law and Governance prepare a note on the possible application of the recent announcement by government of upcoming guidance that will allow proxy and remote voting for local authority meetings in relation to the Parental Leave for Councillors policy.
Date of Decision: July 16, 2025