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We respectfully ask the Government to extend paid maternity leave so that one parent can remain at home with their child until the age of two. Where necessary, this leave should be transferable to the other parent.
This petition is not against childcare services or parents who choose to pursue their careers. Childcare centres provide an important service, and many families rely on them. However, currently there is no real choice for families. Financial pressures, including loans and living costs, force parents to return to work very shortly after birth. As a result, babies often enter childcare at just three months—before they can even sit up—and miss the early bonding, emotional security, and care that only their own parents can provide. Our current maternity leave is among the shortest in the European Union, making this issue urgent.
For generations, children were primarily raised by their own parents during their earliest years. We recognise that modern life often requires both parents to work, and we fully support career development. Yet babies and toddlers still need the emotional security, values, and stability that only parents can provide at such a formative age.
A strong society is built on strong families. Supporting parents during their children’s earliest years helps children grow rooted, secure, and confident, while society benefits as a whole.
We respectfully ask the Government to strengthen its commitment to families by extending paid maternity leave, giving parents real choice, and recognising this support as an investment in our children, families, and future.