Hannah Roche, a Senior Associate in our Employment Team calls on the new Coalition Government to do more to recognise the increasingly vital role played by grandparents in supporting working mothers.
It is estimated that one in three working mothers in the UK rely on their own parents to provide childcare.
However, childcare-providing grandparents do not benefit from the same support enjoyed by those in many other European countries.
Hannah explains: “For example, mothers cannot transfer maternity leave to the grandparents, or pay them with tax credit or vouchers. In addition, (generally speaking) grandparents can’t request flexible working to look after grandchildren.
“All of that could mean that grandparents are feeling the strain, and the joy that grandparents experience in spending time with their grandchildren could occasionally be diminished.”
Hannah is hopeful that the issue is being addressed, but would like to see proposals firmed up.
She said: “From April of next year, those who care for grandchildren under the age of 12 will be able to claim National Insurance credits that go towards providing them with a full state pension.
“And in the recent Queen’s Speech, the new Coalition Government said it would consult on introducing the right to request flexible working for all employees to ensure that those who are in the wider circle of carers, such as grandparents, can take a more active role in caring and managing their work and family lives as effectively as possible.
“This represents a step forward, and we have to hope that firm proposals emerge from the consultation that will see British grandparents start to enjoy some of the benefits others already take for granted.”
