World | UK
Give men a year off to care for baby - Lib-Dem chief
Men should be able to take up to a year off work after becoming fathers, says Nick Clegg.
- By Nicholas Cecil, Evening Standard
- Published: 23:38 January 7, 2009
London: Men should be able to take up to a year off work after becoming fathers, says Nick Clegg.
The Liberal Democrat leader, whose wife Miriam Gonzalez Durantez is due to give birth to their third child next month, is calling for a shake-up of paternity leave laws.
But business chiefs are likely to be alarmed by his demand for parental leave of up to 19 months. Currently, new fathers can take two weeks' paid paternity leave, condemned by Clegg as pathetic.
He echoed the concerns of many experts that the lack of a father figure can be partly to blame for social problems and crime.
Role model
Clegg wants fathers to be allowed to stay at home for up to a year if the mother returns to work after six months. He said this would allow men to spend time with a child beyond the "cooing and wiping phase".
He added: "One of the great crises for children, particularly for boys, is a lack or absence of positive male role models."
Share this article
UK
Leaked documents question Blair's Iraq account
Afghan regime will fall in 'weeks' if Nato quits now
British kidnap victim pleads for life
School reform sees opposition from Prince Charles
Officer missing as bridge collapses
One in a thousand years' occurrence
Tories threaten to axe quangos
Prehistoric croc remains uncovered
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Anti-terror force enlisted for Haj
Saudi Arabia's special anti-terror force has for the first time joined security forces deployed for Haj duties with the pilgrimage beginning on Wednesday
-
English to stay as medium of instruction
Lack of funding of scientific research in Arab world criticised
-
Global Village opens with a revamped layout
Four gates will have themes making it easier to find specific pavilions
