Six weeks off with pay for new dads - The Sun

NEW dads would be allowed six weeks paid paternity leave under plans being proposed today by the Government.

They could get two weeks off straight after the birth and a month to be taken later.

Business Secretary Vince Cable will today announce a consultation into mums and dads sharing time off after a birth.

It is proposed that a total of seven months' flexible parental leave should be granted, with four months paid.

The new scheme would also let both parents be off at the same time to help with childcare. And as The Sun revealed on Saturday, mothers would be allowed to return to work in the middle of maternity leave and then go off again without losing their statutory rights.

Ministers say big employers like BT and B&Q already support the principles and they are keen to win round any "wary" firms.

Mr Cable's Department for Business will argue today that the current system is "not fit for purpose". Ministers say it is old-fashioned and gender biased.

In a speech in London Mr Cable is expected to say: "We need modern workplaces that reflect modern Britain, or we risk losing essential skills from the economy."

c.hartley@the-sun.co.uk