Businesses condemn government's parental leave shake-up

Business groups have reacted angrily to proposals to reform paternal leave regulations which would allow mothers and fathers to share time off work.

Speaking at the launch of a new report into parenting, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg confirmed on Monday that the coalition government will press ahead with measures drawn up by the previous Labour administration.

Under the changes, to be introduced in April, new fathers will be entitled to take up to six months of the mother's maternity leave if she goes back to work.

But the coalition also intends to go further with plans to allow parents to share the entire leave allowance. Mothers would keep their guaranteed six weeks off after birth at 90% pay and fathers would still be entitled to two weeks but the remaining leave of up to 46 weeks could be shared allowing fathers to take up to 10 months off work.

Parents could also be allowed be alternate their time off with each returning to work for short periods. The government intends to consult on the extra measures and, if agreed on, introduce them no later than 2015.