Overview

This bill aims to create equal leave, pay, and allowance arrangements for adoptive parents, mirroring those of biological parents. It mandates a government analysis of the costs and benefits before implementation.

Description

The bill proposes several key changes:

• Equal Leave and Pay Entitlements: Employed adoptive parents would receive the same pay and leave as those on maternity leave, eliminating the 26-week continuous employment requirement for adoption leave. Statutory adoption pay for the first six weeks would be increased to match maternity pay rates.
• Equal Allowances for Self-Employed Adopters: Self-employed adoptive parents would receive a weekly payment during the adoption pay period, equivalent to the maternity allowance for biological parents.
• Government Analysis: The Secretary of State must conduct a cost-benefit analysis of these proposed equalizations before the bill comes into effect. This analysis will cover all aspects of the proposed changes, including incidental, consequential, supplementary and transitional provisions.
• Report Publication: A report detailing the findings of the analysis will be published within three months of the bill's passage.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify exact figures for increased government spending. The required analysis by the Secretary of State will determine the potential financial implications of equalizing leave, pay, and allowance arrangements for adoptive parents.

Groups Affected

• Adoptive Parents: This bill would significantly benefit adoptive parents by providing them with equal leave, pay, and allowance entitlements to biological parents, potentially easing the financial burden and allowing more time to bond with their adopted child.
• Employers: Employers may face increased costs associated with providing paid adoption leave and potentially higher statutory adoption pay for their employees.
• Government: The government will likely face increased expenditure related to adoption leave pay and allowances, though the exact amount will be determined by the Secretary of State's analysis.
• Self-Employed Adoptive Parents: These parents would directly benefit from the equalization of allowances, granting them financial support during the adoption period.

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