PARENTS should be given a statutory right to paid time off work when their children are ill, according to Harriet Harman, a senior minister and a candidate for Labour’s deputy leadership.

She has called on Gordon Brown to stop employers penalising mothers forced to stay at home because their youngsters are unwell.

She argues that many women whose children fall ill are forced to lie to their bosses to avoid having their pay docked if they take time off. “When an adult is unwell, they have a statutory right to time off with pay. But what happens when a child is sick and can’t go to school, or to their nursery or childminder?” she said.

“Children need their parents at home to care for them when they are unwell. Parents should not be forced to lie and say that it is they who are ill.”

Her proposal, published as part of a “Mother’s Day manifesto” of family-friendly policies, was, however, immediately criticised by business leaders.

They claim the deputy leadership contest is resulting in unfair and unrealistic proposals as candidates vie to outdo each other.

Matthew Knowles, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “This particular offering is a bit of a strange one because most small businesses are flexible and innovative about letting people take time off without the need for formalities.

“When is all this going to stop? A lot of our members are starting to get a bit concerned about the deputy leadership contest. The candidates are all trying to get one up on each other’s proposals for working practice.”

Harman, who unveiled her manifesto after canvassing women on the website netmums, also proposed better maternity pay for self-employed women and stronger rights for mothers to choose their working hours.

This could see the burden of proof shifted so that it would be for the employer to show why it was not possible for a parent to work flexibly.

The government has already significantly increased statutory rights and benefits for pregnant women and new mothers. Paid maternity leave will be extended from six to nine months in a fortnight’s time. Ministers have also introduced two weeks’ paid paternity leave for fathers, and a right for mothers to request flexible working hours.

However, Harman suggested maternity pay could be increased further and maternity leave lengthened. “Many mothers go back to work before they feel their baby is ready because they can’t afford to stay off work,” she said.

Labour party strategists are keen to regain the initiative after a high-profile campaign by David Cameron, the Tory leader, to present the Conservatives as the party of the family. He has pledged to reintroduce tax breaks for married couples.

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