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The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has given its cautious approval of the Conservative party's plans for flexible parental leave.

Under the plans, couples would gain an allowance of 52 weeks' paid leave to use between them.

The mother would have to take off the first 14 weeks but after that primary care for the child could be taken over by the father.

Alternatively, the mother could claim the whole 52-week allowance or parents could take off 26 weeks together.

Head of policy at the BCC Chris Hannant says the organisation welcomes proposals to help women return to work after having children.

But small businesses, many of whom are already making an effort to provide flexible working arrangements for parents, might have problems under the plan.

'It is important that any regulatory proposals seek to minimise the administrative burden, particularly for small employers who really struggle to cover prolonged absences from the workplace and can find the administration of maternity and paternity leave complex,' Hannant comments.

Currently, mothers can claim 90 per cent of average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of maternity leave, followed by a maximum of 33 weeks of up to £112.75. Fathers are entitled to up to two weeks' paid paternity leave.