The new scheme for additional paternity leave (APL) and Additional Statutory Paternity Pay (ASPP) will apply to children born on or after 3 April 2011 and will allow fathers and partners of those giving birth or adopting a child to share the maternity or adoption leave and pay if the mother returns to work early, for up to 6 months. It is estimated that between 4 percent and 8 percent of those eligible for the new leave will take it.

Under the new programme, mothers will be able to transfer the last six months of their maternity leave, or part of that leave, to the father. Some of the leave may be paid if taken during the mother's maternity pay period. Fathers will be eligible for an ASPP of 90 percent of earnings or GBP 123 a week (whichever is lower). Two to 26 consecutive weeks can be taken, from 20 weeks after the child is born (or adopted) and must end by 12 months after the child is born (or adopted).

In order to qualify for APL, the father must have been eligible for Statutory Paternity Leave (have continuous employment by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the due date or adoption) and be in the same employment until he starts APL. The mother must have returned to work and be eligible for maternity leave, Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), or Maternity Allowance (MA).

In order for the father to qualify for ASPP, the child's mother must have returned to work and have been entitled to SMP or MA. The father is then eligible for the ASPP  for the duration of the mother's maternity pay period.

Reference: Local Government Employers, "Additional paternity leave and pay,"
http://www.lge.gov.uk/lge/core/page.do?pageId=2909955.

The Guardian, "Fathers to get six months' paternity leave," 28 January 2010, http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/jan/28/fathers-six-months-paternity-leave.

Date d'entrée en vigueur prévue: 03.04.2010