‘Men must be allowed to look after babies’

GOVERNMENT should not dictate to parents which one of them stays at home to look after a newborn baby, according to the chairman of the group putting forward proposals to introduce statutory maternity leave.

Deputy Hunter Adam (pictured) was responding to concerns about proposed changes that would mean a father could choose to take time off to look after a new baby instead of the mother.

The Social Policy Group chairman said any new legislation would have to take account of the fact that society had changed and in some cases women were the main breadwinners in a household and would need to return to work quickly.

‘That could be a concern but if the situation is a couple decides that it is better for them to have the male looking after the child should the male not get some allowance?’ (from GEP)