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<p>The Government takes note of the Commission’s findings and recommendations. Latest
Labour Market Statistics showed female employment in the UK is at its highest ever
rate (68.6%), which makes it the 5<sup>th</sup> highest female employment rate in
the EU.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Government is committed to helping working
women and families. In the last Parliament legislation was enacted which enables eligible
working parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay where the
mother ends her maternity leave and/or her maternity pay early so that she can opt
into the new Shared Parental Leave and Pay system with the child’s father or her partner.
All employees who have 26 weeks continuous service with their employer in the UK also
now have the right to request flexible working. These measures enable eligible employees
to better balance work with other commitments, including childcare.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government is also providing women and families with additional
childcare support:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>- Currently funding 15 hours a week
of free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds, and for the 40% most disadvantaged 2
year olds.</p><p> </p><p>- Committing to giving working parents of 3 and 4 year olds
30 hours of free childcare a week, with implementation starting in some areas in September
2016.</p><p> </p><p>- Providing support for childcare costs of people on lower incomes,
up to 70% of costs under the childcare element on working tax credits, which will
rise to 85% from April 2016 under Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>- Introducing Tax
Free Childcare which will provide up to 1.8 million families across the UK with up
to £2,000 of childcare support per year, per child.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p>
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