Conservatives agree that both parents matter

 

·        David Cameron’s pre-Conference announcements would allow both parents to be at home during first six months of child’s life.

 

·        Families Need Fathers’ (FNF) core belief in the principles of Shared Parenting clearly reflected in opposition policy.

 

·        Changes must be combined with financial relief to ensure accessibility.

 Ahead of Conservative Party conference, David Cameron has announced plans to award parents a collective pool of 52 weeks paid leave following the birth of their child, to be divided between them as they see fit, in response to current Government plans to extend maternity leave from 26 to 52 weeks by 2010, with the option for the father to take the latter half whilst the mother returns to work. 

The principles of Shared Parenting, a core policy of Families Need Fathers, are evident in the Tory proposals, in which the mother would be expected to take the first 14 weeks off and the father would be entitled to two weeks in addition to the shared allowance.

FNF applauds moves to encourage both mothers and fathers to make an active contribution to all aspects of parenting. Research consistently shows the importance of both parents’ influence on a child’s upbringing; yet despite this one-in-four British children do not consider their father to be part of their immediate family (http://www.fnf.org.uk/news-events/press-releases/2007-archive/071203). The announcement also marks a sea-change in David Cameron’s own attitude to the contribution that fathers can and should make to their children’s lives (http://www.fnf.org.uk/news-events/press-releases/2007-archive/070216).

However, FNF shares government concerns about potential difficulties for less well-off families. Without the appropriate financial support for parents, the proposals may fall short of their aims. The improved leave allowance would have to be coupled with adequate levels of paid leave and statutory pay to enable all families to give the best of their time to their children.

John Baker, FNF Chair said, “We are excited by this proposal to allow both parents to dedicate themselves to their children in the first six months of life and encouraged that our campaigning efforts to promote the principles of Shared Parenting are meeting with success. FNF calls on all parties to acknowledge the importance of both parents’ for children’s welfare and to translate those principles into action as soon as possible.”

-  ENDS -

 Note for editors: Families Need Fathers (FNF) is a registered charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

 

For comment or information please contact:

Nick Barnard, Director of Communications 07979 206 384

John Baker, FNF Chair 07881 644 917

Jon Davies, FNF CEO 07976 935 986

Becky Sibert, Policy & Information Officer 020 7613 5060

For more information on Shared Parenting please see;

http://www.fnf.org.uk/publications-resources/factsheets-guides

 

Please see Families Need Fathers ‘programme for change’ Father’s Day Manifesto at

http://www.fnf.org.uk/about-us/fathers-day-manifesto