The government has launched a comprehensive (and arguably long overdue) review of entitlements to parental leave and pay, including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave. 

The review is expected to run for 18 months from 1 July 2025.  The government has said “Parental leave and pay entitlements play a key role in the plan to Make Work Pay by helping parents balance their work and home lives.  The review is part of delivering the Plan for Change, linking to 2 of the government missions – to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity. The review will consider how the parental leave and pay system could be improved to better support working families and meet the needs of the modern economy”.

The conclusion of the review will be a roadmap for future reforms, so anyone expecting rapid change in this area may well be disappointed. The process has kicked off with a call for evidence, which will be open until 25 August 2025. Full details are here: Parental leave and pay review - GOV.UK