MAIL ONLINE: New rights for flexible parental leave / Grandparents to get more rights when couples split / Crackdown on ads and marketing aimed at children / Labour's child tax credit scheme scaled back / Move to protect playgrounds and playing fields
Nick Clegg today vowed to end the tradition that sees mothers do the lion's share of looking after children by giving fathers the right to far more flexible leave.
The Deputy Prime Minister attacked the 'measly' two weeks he was given when his third son was born as he gave a major speech on the family.
And he insisted the whole premise that mothers will be the main carers should be destroyed in what amounts to a revolution of parents' rights.
A new Childhood and Families Ministerial Task Force will look at the best way to re-balance the family set-up.
In a speech to the Barnado's charity in central London, Mr Clegg said: 'Many couples find it enormously difficult to strike the right balance between work and home.
'Traditional arrangements that see mothers take the lion's share of leave simply don't suit everyone's needs.
'I know from my own experience - my own measly two weeks off following the birth of my third son - how frustrating it is for fathers who want to spend more time with their young children.
'Breaking down the old, outdated attitude to who-should-give-up-work-when is hugely important for men, hugely important for women but most importantly, children benefit enormously from having both parents actively involved from day one.' Clegg vows to end tradition of women doing bulk of parenting by offering flexible leave for dads >>> Daily Mail Reporter | Thursday, June 17, 2010
