The government has announced plans to introduce additional paternity leave and pay for fathers of children due on or after 3 April 2011.
The scheme has, according to the government, been structured in such a way as to minimise the administrative burden on small businesses. You will still need to understand what the changes are and be ready to put them into place if the circumstances arise though.
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills press release highlighted the following key areas of the new scheme;
- Families will have the choice to transfer up to six months leave to the father should they want to, which can be taken by the father once the mother has returned to work;
- This new provision will be available during the second six months of the child’s life, giving parents the option of dividing a period of paid leave entitlement between them
- Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother’s 39 week maternity pay period. This would be paid at the same rate as Statutory Maternity Pay (currently £123.06);
- Parents will be required to “self certify” by providing details of their eligibility to their employer. Employers and HMRC will both be able to carry out further checks of entitlement if necessary.
If you need to understand more about how these changes will affect your bookkeeping and payroll then give Lewis Smith & Co. a call on 01384 235549 to arrange a free consultation.
Lewis Smith & Co. – Accountants for Kingswinford businesses
