In July, the Government launched a comprehensive 18-month review of the UK’s current parental leave and pay system. Aiming to better support families, boost the economy and address issues like low paternity leave uptake, the review will cover all types of family leave, including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.
Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and current Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall has been working on the review’s journey to date. Here, she answers questions about the review, from three different GH readers.
Veronika Day: Will statutory maternity pay increase? I had to return to work earlier than planned as I couldn’t cope financially. I feel so guilty for not being able to spend more time with my baby.
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Liz Kendall: ‘I can understand what you’re describing – that feeling that you should be with your baby but simply can’t. You’re not alone in feeling this way. So many parents are facing exactly what you’ve been through, having to make impossible choices between being there for their child and keeping the lights on.
‘I know how precious and fleeting that time is and no parent should have to cut it short because of money worries. That’s exactly why we’ve launched this parental leave and pay review – because the current system is failing families like yours when you need support most.
‘We’re determined to hear from parents, because your experiences will shape the changes we make. This isn’t just about ticking policy boxes – it’s about making sure that in the future, no parent has to carry the guilt you’re carrying now. We will explore every option to help parents spend that vital bonding time with their children without the financial stress that’s robbing families of these irreplaceable moments.’
Anon: Wouldn’t it be better to focus on making returning to work worthwhile with some sort of tax concession, so the cost of childcare doesn't make it pointless?
Liz Kendall: ‘You’ve hit on something I have heard from working mums time and time again – that awful calculation where you’re working just to pay for childcare, wondering if it’s even worth it. It can make you question everything about your choices.
‘That’s exactly why we’re taking this comprehensive approach for the first time. We know these challenges don’t exist in isolation – parental leave, childcare costs, flexible working – they’re all connected parts of the same puzzle that working families are trying to solve every day.
‘We’re already making real changes through the Employment Rights Bill – giving parents flexible working from day one, stronger protections for pregnant women and new mothers, and parental leave as a day one right. But you’re absolutely right that we need to look at how all these policies work together. That’s why this review will consider how parental leave interacts with childcare provision and other support, because we know that’s how real families experience these pressures – all at once, all interconnected.
‘Your insight about making work worthwhile is spot on, and that’s exactly the kind of perspective we need to hear more of in this review.’
Catherine Williams: Current statutory maternity provision is weighted in favour of higher-earning, employed mothers. Could that ever be reversed with, for example, statutory maternity provision being means-tested towards those in greater need?
Liz Kendall: ‘The maternity system shouldn’t be a postcode lottery. Every child deserves the best start in life, regardless of their family’s income.
‘I’ve met too many mothers who’ve told me they felt penalised for earning less, or for not having an employer who tops up statutory pay. That sense of unfairness – that the system works better for some families than others – is exactly what we’re determined to address.
‘We’re gathering evidence on how different approaches might work. But this isn’t just about crunching numbers – it’s about understanding what fairness actually looks like for modern families.
‘I want to hear from parents across all income levels about their experiences, because that’s how we’ll build something that truly works for everyone. Whether you’re a single parent on minimum wage or someone whose employer offers enhanced maternity pay, your voice matters in shaping what comes next. Please do contribute to our review – your perspective could make all the difference to families facing these same challenges in the future.’
