Adoption leave improvements

General improvements in leave for working parents have brought changes for adoptive parents too. The October pay deal at Devonport Royal Dockyard brought enhancements in adoption leave provision for 2,000 industrial workers represented by Amicus, GMB, TGWU and UCATT. The agreement provides for 26 weeks paid adoption leave and a further 26 weeks unpaid leave. Adoption leave is paid at 90% of average earnings for six weeks and £100 per week for 20 weeks, applicable to either mother or father, but not both parents.

Adoption and maternity leave payments at Central Trains will improve from 1 April this year under an existing pay agreement. Employees get 100% of earnings for six weeks and 50% for 10 weeks, before moving onto the statutory rate.

Since April 2003 adoptive leave has been underpinned by a statutory right to a total of 26 weeks paid leave and 26 weeks unpaid leave. From April 2004 Statutory Adoption Pay increases from £100 a week (or 90% of earnings if less than this) to £102.80. This leaves plenty of scope for negotiators to agree something closer to normal earnings.