I 've been reminded that back in June 2011, the MP for Walsall South, Valerie Vaz, introduced a private member's bill into Parliament. Her Adoption (Leave, Pay and Allowance Arrangements) Bill was accepted unopposed and is due to have its second reading on 30 March 2012.

The Bill seeks to provide the same leave and pay rights for those adopting as mothers currently have. Ms Vaz has identified three such areas:

+ A woman is currently entitled to 52 weeks' statutory maternity leave regardless of how long she's worked for her employer, or for how many hours a week she works. Someone requesting statutory adoption leave has to have been in continuous service for up to 26 weeks with the same employer by the time they are notified of having been officially matched with a child for adoption.

+ A woman who is currently entitled to statutory maternity pay receives 90% of her average weekly earnings for the first six weeks of her maternity pay period and then up to 33 weeks at the lower of 90% of average earnings or the flat rate (£135.45 a week for 2012/13). Someone entitled to statutory adoption pay only receives up to 39 weeks at the lower of 90% of average earnings or the flat rate (£135.45 a week for 2012/13). 

+ A woman who is not entitled to SMP (e.g. she's not worked for long enough for the same employer) may be entitled to the Maternity Allowance. There is no such provision for those not entitled to SAP.

Ms Vaz comments: "The Government should send a clear message that they value what adopters do to help children some of whom may be vulnerable. One way to do this would be to equalise their access to adoption leave, pay and allowances. Adoption agencies expect parents to take time off work in order to bond with their new child. Those who adopt must feel that they are able to do this without being financially penalised. They should be treated in the same way as birth mothers."

According to Adoption UK, there were 65 thousand children in local authority care in England as at 31 March 2011. Only 3,000 looked-after children were adopted in the year to the same date.