Will fathers be tempted by £128 a week?

How will the new arrangements for paternity pay look to fathers? It'll still look daunting to take time off, as it can do for mothers as well.

What's expected is that fathers will get six week's paternity leave, up from two weeks at the moment.

Then they will be able to agree with the mother to share 7 months of her maternity leave, 4 months of which would be paid.

So the couple could arrange things so the father gets 5 and a half months paid leave. At least that's what will be up for consultation.

The problem is that statutory paternity pay is £128 a week.

That is a lot better than nothing. But it is very much less than mid-range or median pay of £499 a week. And also less than average weekly household spending, which is just under £460 a week.

Some families will have saved up, or the mother will be bringing home enough to enable the father to take the leave, or the employer might provide more help.

But many others will find it hard to make ends meet if he goes down to £128 a week for nearly half a year.

How many fathers would actually be in a position to take the extra time off?

One thing worth remembering, though, is that if household income goes down, the family might be entitled to more tax credit.

Icy wind of benefit cuts starts to blow

Just a warning to parents who qualify for the £500 per child (as it was) Sure Start Maternity Grant, that it's being restricted to the 1st child from today.
It had been available for any new babies.
This is an early blast of the cold wind of benefit cuts which blows through the country from April, when Housing Benefit will be cut back.
Sure Start Maternity Grants are designed to help with the costs of having a baby, such as pushchair, cot, clothes and other equipment.
The reduction applies from 11th April, but a grant can be claimed from 11 weeks before the week in which a baby is due. So the legislation is being brought into force from today, 24th January.
Each week of delay is thought to cost the Treasury £1.4m. It's planning to save £73m a year from the reduction. Around 150,000 fewer grants will be paid out.
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is available to people on certain benefits and tax credits.
By the way, if there's another child in the household who is over 16, then you should still be able to get the grant. Plus, if your baby is due before 11th April, you are still likely to be able to apply for the grant and get it, even if you have other children.