Work and Families Act 2006: maternity, paternity and adoption benefit changes
As part of the Government's 10-year strategy for childcare,1 Choice for parents, the best start for children: a ten year strategy for children, HMT, 2004 it consulted on measures intended to 'give parents more choice about how to balance their work and family responsibilities'.2 Work and Families: Choice and Flexibility A consultation document, February 2005 The Work and Families Act 2006 implements some of the measures set out in the Government's response to this consultation. The Act, together with a group of related statutory instruments,3 Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (2006 No. 2014); Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (General) and the Statutory Paternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Weekly Rates) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (2006 No. 2236); Statutory Maternity Pay, Social Security (Maternity Allowance) and Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (2006 No. 2379) contains amendments to legislation relating to maternity, paternity and adoption benefits. Susan Mitchell outlines the main changes.