http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13304057,00.html

      MATERNITY LEAVE EXTENDED

Maternity leave for new mothers is to be increased from six to nine months
under new Government proposals.
The Prime Minister will give details of the plans later this morning as he
sets out to woo women voters.


Tony Blair's proposals also include allowing maternity pay and time to be
given to fathers and extending rights to parents of older children.

Labour wants to raise maternity pay by £1,400, which would enable mothers to
take an extra three months' leave.

But the announcements have put the party on a collision course with
business, with the British Chambers of Commerce warning many small firms
would be "crippled" by the moves.

And according to a study funded by the Equal Opportunities Commission, 40%
of fathers are not using up their existing entitlement to a fortnight's paid
paternity leave at £102.80 a week.

A Labour Party spokesman said: "We will be giving parents greater choice in
how they share out increased parental leave, extra support for new mums and
dads because of a strong and stable economy, and Labour's values - which put
the prosperity of hardworking families first."


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Men are everywhere that matters!





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