Cameron unveils parental leave plan

David Cameron has said the Tories would allow more flexibility for new parents to take leave when their children are born.

The Conservative leader said he wanted parents to be able to take up to 26 weeks' leave together if they wished.

Ministers plan to extend maternity leave to 52 weeks by 2010 with parents able to choose which partner stays at home after the first 26 weeks.

However the Tory plan would mean they divide the time as they choose.

'Change'

"The world is changing. Men want to be more involved in bringing up their children. That's why flexibility is a really good thing," Cameron said.

"We're saying let's make it completely flexible," he added.

"So if mum and dad want to take time off together at the beginning let them do that... don't say that the woman has to take 26 weeks."

However business secretary John Hutton hit back that: "Whether it is the mother or the father staying at home, the majority of families still need one parent going out to work to pay the bills.

"The Tory big idea on the family shows how out of touch they are with hardworking people."

Conference

The announcement was made as the Conservatives' spring conference began in Gateshead on Friday which is focusing on public services help for families.

The day's agenda saw shadow schools secretary Michael Gove, shadow justice minister Nick Herbert, shadow local government secretary Eric Pickles, shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth and shadow Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude discussing preparations for forming a new government.

There were also speech on economic stability by shadow chancellor George Osborne while shadow business secretary Alan Duncan and shadow skills secretary David Willetts were discussing ways of building economic competitiveness.

Ahead of the event, members of the shadow cabinet also held a series of engagements around the North East.