Edward Davey, the Employment Relations Minister, has set out the Government’s plans to make it easier for employees to balance work and family life.  From April 2011, the right to request flexible working will be extended to parents of children under 18.  Later this year consultation will be published on extending the right to all employees.  In addition the Government will consult on a flexible parental leave system to encourage shared parenting right from the beginning of a pregnancy.
 
The Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010, which allow parents with an EWC or an adoption date on or after 3 April 2011 to effectively share the 52 weeks maternity leave, will come into force as planned.