Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Working Parents and School Closures

Baroness Altmann Excerpts

Monday 18th January 2021 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

The noble Lord is absolutely right that where parents need to take leave for caring responsibilities they have the right to do so, and if that is taken for under 26 weeks, they have the right to return to the same job when they return to work.

[Baroness Altmann (Con) [V]]

My Lords, following on from the previous question, might it be possible for the Government to consider extending the carers’ leave, given that the pandemic has gone on for so long, so that it is more akin to maternity leave and lasts for a longer period in these exceptional circumstances?

[Baroness Penn (Con)]

My Lords, the right to take parental leave is one of a number of options open to parents. We hope that employers will work with their employees to find the best solution in each circumstance, including the use of the furlough scheme where appropriate and where the eligibility criteria are clear.