MPs have warned the government that its review of parental leave must address the existing system’s ‘fundamental failings’, after it failed to commit to better-paid paternity leave during this parliament. The government has now formally responded to the WEC’s report, Equality at work: Paternity and shared parental leave, published in June. In its response, the government acknowledged that the parental leave system needed improvement, and that the Employment Rights Bill would make paternity and unpaid parental leave “day one” rights from April 2026. The WEC expressed disappointment that the government’s response to its report omitted any definite commitment to longer, better-paid paternity leave during this Parliament. “It is disappointing there is no definite commitment in the government’s response to longer, better-paid paternity leave during this Parliament, as change is much needed and long overdue.