Self-employed: Paternity Leave

Lord Hunt of Wirral Excerpts

Wednesday 20th May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The costs of all the schemes that are being suggested and the potential expansions of rights, whether for self-employed fathers or mothers, will be considered. We have taken into account the costings that have been put to us by some of the groups that are advocating for these measures, and we are assessing the full costs of these as part of the review.

[Lord Hunt of Wirral (Con)]

Does the Minister not accept that the real problem is that employment costs are rising to such an extent that it is now much more difficult for businesses to offer enhanced paternity leave and other support for working parents? Will she consult with her colleagues and bring forward a clear strategy to reduce business costs, so that more employers and self-employed parents have the flexibility to support families when a new child arrives?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I am pleased to take this opportunity to say that the UK had the highest growth in the G7 in the last quarter. I am also pleased to highlight the measures we are taking to reduce costs on business—for example, ending mandatory strategic reports. I am also pleased to talk about the measures we are now taking to support families with the cost of living, be it energy costs or expanding free school meals.