The Department for Education today released a statement on the introduction of shared parental leave as part of the Government's continuing commitment to furthering equality.

Today, the majority of parental leave comes in the form of maternity leave, putting a big burden on women in our society to put their career on hold when having a child. This makes women less likely to advance as fast and far as men.

This government will not idly watch as men are forced to pick career over their children or women the opposite. The decision about parental leave should be left up to the involved parties, namely the parents (together with any other partners).

Because of this, the Department for Education and this government will work to change regulations to allow the parents of a child to share the leave as they see fit, so that they can take into account their own, personal situation. We will do this under the Children and Family Act 2014. The regulation will be presented to Parliament as soon as it is ready.

Signed:

The Most Honourable The Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair CT PC MSP, Minister of State for Equalities and Member of the Scottish Parliament (National)

The Rt Hon. Sir /u/DrCaeserMD KCB CT PC MP, Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Derbyshire.

The Rt Hon. /u/LouisOstrowski PC MP, Secretary of State for Education and Member of Parliament for Lancashire South.