Latest news with #JamesYeates
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Paternity leave is outdated and unequal, MPs say
The UK's statutory parental leave system is "one of the worst in the developed world" and has "fundamental flaws", a group of cross-party MPs has said. A report published today by the Women and Equalities Committee said paternity leave rules "entrench outdated gender stereotypes". It added that "bold" action is needed, but warned any changes would require significant investment. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said the government is carrying out a review to see how it best can support working families. Introduced in 2003, statutory paternity leave allows most new fathers and second parents in the UK to take up to two weeks off work. It applies to all partners, regardless of gender, after the birth, surrogacy or adoption of a baby. Those eligible receive £187.18 a week or 90% of their average earnings, whichever is lower. This works out as less than 50% of the National Living Wage and fathers are ineligible for statutory paternity leave if they are self-employed or earn less than £123 a week. Give new dads the same job rights as mums, MP says Shared parental leave skewed against lower earning families, analysis shows Father could not afford paternity leave to care for ill baby The report says this is "completely out of kilter with the cost of living" and suggests the government should consider increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks in a phased approach. It recommends both aspects should be done during this Parliament. Highlighting how paternity leave has not changed noticeably since its introduction more than two decades ago, the report says: "We now have one of the worst statutory leave offers for fathers and other parents in the developed world." In Spain, new dads can take 16 weeks off work at full pay. New rules introduced in France in 2021 mean working dads can now spend 28 days at home while being paid. Families in Sweden are entitled to 480 days of paid parental leave, with 90 days reserved for fathers. As part of Your Voice, Your BBC News we are covering the stories that matter most to you and several dads have been in touch about paternity leave. James Yeates, from Haverhill, Suffolk, says it was "horrible" having to return to work just two weeks after his son, Luca, was born in September 2024. Although he says the birth of his son was "the happiest moment of my life", he soon felt as though he was leaving his partner "in the lurch". "There would be times when my partner was struggling and I'd have to leave to go to work," he said. "I felt like I was letting her down and letting my son down." James works for the NHS, who topped up his statutory paternity pay to 100% of his usual salary, but feels as though he was prevented from being "a more present parent". The WEC report also looked at shared parental leave, which was introduced in 2014 and allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay after the birth or adoption of a child. But the review found many families considered it "unnecessarily complex" and "burdensome". It is used in fewer than 2% of all births and a government review from 2023 suggests almost half (45%) of all dads were not even aware shared parental leave was an option. The report has been released on the eve of the world's first dad strike. Hundreds of fathers are expected to picket outside the Department for Business and Trade in London on Wednesday to call for an overhaul of the UK's parental leave policies. New research by The Dad Shift and Shaun Davies MP suggests that just 3% of money spent on parental leave in the UK supports fathers and non-birthing parents. Information provided by employers to HMRC shows that £3.3bn was spent on statutory maternity pay in 2023/24. Across the same period, £69m was spent on paternity pay and £34.4m statutory shared parental pay. George Gabriel, co-founder of the Dad Shift, said paternity leave laws mean dads often have to go back to work before their two-week paternity leave ends. "The pie is small and the crumbs left for dads and non-birthing parents are honestly pretty pitiful," he said. Kathy Jones, chief executive of the Fatherhood Institute, said she welcomed many of the findings of the report, but said "families shouldn't have to wait until the next Parliament for this to come in". The government said its forthcoming review, which is due before mid-July, would look at all current parental leave entitlements. A spokesperson added it is already in the process of ensuring dads no longer need to be employed for 26 weeks to be entitled to paternity leave. "This government is committed to making sure parents receive the best possible support to balance their work and home lives," they said. Additional reporting from George Walker.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals
ARMY CON Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN actor who appeared in The Crown has been accused of stolen valour after posing as an officer in the Army reserves. James Yeates, 42, even attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in full Intelligence Corps mess dress. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Actor James Yeates, 42, has been accused of 'stolen valour' Credit: Facebook 5 Veterans launched an investigation after a tip off Credit: Facebook Pictures showed him wearing three medals - the Queen's Diamond, Platinum Jubilee and King's Coronation medals - at the swanky do. Other online photos saw him posing in Intelligence Corps fatigues. But the convicted fraudster was exposed after veterans launched an investigation following a tip-off. In reality, the actor had never served a day of his life in the army. Read more News FAMILY'S AGONY Mum who tortured son so badly he lost his legs will be freed from jail EARLY Instead, he had purchased the medals on eBay. In an online profile he boasted: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, l'm also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves)." When The Sun confronted him he hastily amended the bio to read: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor." On another site, Backstage, he wrote: "Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves)." His email auto-signature also read: "Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors." But veterans say there is no record of him ever serving in the reserves and no mention of him in the London Gazette which lists every officers' commissions. Brit mum who 'scammed her SON' arrested after victims watched Netflix show Extra Yeates, who posted photographs of himself on the set of the Crown in 2018 and 2019, suggested the picture of him at the mess dinner was from a film set. But furious guests who also attended in March 2024 said an internal investigation was now underway to find out who invited him and whether he was vetted. Yeates also claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, had worked on the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but there is no record showing their involvement. The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, who led the investigation, is now calling for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act, to make it a criminal offence. A spokesman said: "The sole reason we exist is because of people like Yeates. "If there were ever a strong reason for a stolen valour act, this is a prime example. "Yeates clearly has a well documented history for dishonesty, going by his past endeavours, and the undeniable evidence trail. "But to impersonate a serving Major in the Intelligence Corps, regular or reserve. "Wearing the uniform, rank, and medals, which Yeates has not earned, and taking in genuine veterans, and those still serving, when he had never even stepped foot in a training establishment or served one day in the armed forces is a step too far. "His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to the crown." 5 James was previously jailed for fraud in May 2015 Credit: Instagram 5 Veterans felt disrespected by James' actions and called for a 'stolen valour act' Credit: Instagram 5 James has run several failed businesses Credit: Instagram Yeates, of Dorking, Surrey, escaped jail in 2006 after he took more than £20,000 from customers' bank accounts after his business collapsed. He blew £22,650 within three days and later admitted using criminal property and transferring criminal property at Guildford Crown Court. A previous indictment of 30 counts relating to theft was left on file. He was later jailed for 12 months in May 2015 for fraud after spending £7,700 on a credit card that did not belong to him. He bought first class flights to Los Angeles to shoot a video which he hoped would encourage talent to join his YouTube network Jey Management. Last night, Yeates told The Sun: "Some comments I've made in the past may have been misunderstood or taken out of context. "My focus has always been on working professionally and in good faith. " He added: "At no point have I intentionally misled anyone, nor have I attempted to benefit professionally from any misrepresentation."
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals
AN actor who appeared in The Crown has been accused of stolen valour after posing as an officer in the Army reserves. James Yeates, 42, even attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in full Intelligence Corps mess dress. 5 5 Pictures showed him wearing three medals - the Queen's Diamond, Platinum Jubilee and King's Coronation medals - at the swanky do. Other online photos saw him posing in Intelligence Corps fatigues. But the convicted fraudster was exposed after veterans launched an investigation following a tip-off. In reality, the actor had never served a day of his life in the army. Instead, he had purchased the medals on eBay. In an online profile he boasted: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, l'm also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves)." When The Sun confronted him he hastily amended the bio to read: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor." On another site, Backstage, he wrote: "Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves)." His email auto-signature also read: "Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors." But veterans say there is no record of him ever serving in the reserves and no mention of him in the London Gazette which lists every officers' commissions. Extra Yeates, who posted photographs of himself on the set of the Crown in 2018 and 2019, suggested the picture of him at the mess dinner was from a film set. But furious guests who also attended in March 2024 said an internal investigation was now underway to find out who invited him and whether he was vetted. Yeates also claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, had worked on the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but there is no record showing their involvement. The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, who led the investigation, is now calling for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act, to make it a criminal offence. A spokesman said: "The sole reason we exist is because of people like Yeates. "If there were ever a strong reason for a stolen valour act, this is a prime example. "Yeates clearly has a well documented history for dishonesty, going by his past endeavours, and the undeniable evidence trail. "But to impersonate a serving Major in the Intelligence Corps, regular or reserve. "Wearing the uniform, rank, and medals, which Yeates has not earned, and taking in genuine veterans, and those still serving, when he had never even stepped foot in a training establishment or served one day in the armed forces is a step too far. "His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service to the crown." 5 5 5 Yeates, of Dorking, Surrey, escaped jail in 2006 after he took more than £20,000 from customers' bank accounts after his business collapsed. He blew £22,650 within three days and later admitted using criminal property and transferring criminal property at Guildford Crown Court. A previous indictment of 30 counts relating to theft was left on file. He was later jailed for 12 months in May 2015 for fraud after spending £7,700 on a credit card that did not belong to him. He bought first class flights to Los Angeles to shoot a video which he hoped would encourage talent to join his YouTube network Jey Management. Last night, Yeates told The Sun: "Some comments I've made in the past may have been misunderstood or taken out of context. "My focus has always been on working professionally and in good faith. " He added: "At no point have I intentionally misled anyone, nor have I attempted to benefit professionally from any misrepresentation."
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Actor from Netflix's The Crown is convicted FRAUDSTER who stole £20k, lied about being military hero & wore fake medals
AN actor who appeared in The Crown has been accused of stolen valour after posing as an officer in the Army reserves. James Yeates, 42, even attended an Honourable Artillery Company dinner in full Intelligence Corps mess dress. 5 Actor James Yeates, 42, has been accused of 'stolen valour' Credit: Facebook 5 Veterans launched an investigation after a tip off Credit: Facebook Pictures showed him wearing three medals - the Queen's Diamond, Platinum Jubilee and King's Coronation medals - at the swanky do. Other online photos saw him posing in Intelligence Corps fatigues. But the convicted fraudster was exposed after veterans launched an investigation following a tip-off. In reality, the actor had never served a day of his life in the army. Read more News Instead, he had purchased the medals on eBay. In an online profile he boasted: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor, l'm also a current serving officer in the British armed forces (reserves)." When The Sun confronted him he hastily amended the bio to read: "I'm a fully trained, enthusiastic and versatile actor." On another site, Backstage, he wrote: "Alongside being a professionally trained and working actor, I am also a current serving officer in the British Armed Forces (reserves)." Most read in The Sun His email auto-signature also read: "Major James Yeates, Co-Founder, Military and Aviation Advisors." But veterans say there is no record of him ever serving in the reserves and no mention of him in the London Gazette which lists every officers' commissions. Brit mum who 'scammed her SON' arrested after victims watched Netflix show Extra Yeates, who posted photographs of himself on the set of the Crown in 2018 and 2019, suggested the picture of him at the mess dinner was from a film set. But Yeates also claimed his firm, Military and Aviation Advisors, had worked on the film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but there is The Walter Mitty Hunters Club, who led the investigation, is now calling for a new law, the Stolen Valour Act, to make it a criminal offence. A spokesman said: "The sole reason we exist is because of people like Yeates. "If there were ever a strong reason for a stolen valour act, this is a prime example. "Yeates clearly has a well documented history for dishonesty, going by his past endeavours, and the undeniable evidence trail. "But to impersonate a serving Major in the Intelligence Corps, regular or reserve. "Wearing the uniform, rank, and medals, which Yeates has not earned, and taking in genuine veterans, and those still serving, when he had never even stepped foot in a training establishment or served one day in the armed forces is a step too far. "His deliberate actions are disrespectful to the service community and to those who paid the 5 James was previously jailed for fraud in May 2015 Credit: Instagram 5 Veterans felt disrespected by James' actions and called for a 'stolen valour act' Credit: Instagram 5 James has run several failed businesses Credit: Instagram Yeates, of Dorking, Surrey, escaped jail in 2006 after he took more than £20,000 from customers' bank accounts after his business collapsed. He blew £22,650 within three days and later admitted using criminal property and transferring criminal property at Guildford Crown Court. A He was later jailed for 12 months in May 2015 for He bought first class flights to Los Angeles to shoot a video which he hoped would encourage talent to join his YouTube network Jey Management. Last night, Yeates told The Sun: "Some comments I've made in the past may have been misunderstood or taken out of context. "My focus has always been on working professionally and in good faith. " He added: "At no point have I intentionally misled anyone, nor have I attempted to benefit professionally from any misrepresentation."
