Letter: German parents get a better deal

I WAS astounded to read in Ian Hunter's article ('Mother's little earner', Business, 2 August) that Britain's statutory maternity leave is the most generous in Europe, and that German men have no statutory right to paternity leave. Germany gives mums or dads the option to stay at home for up to three years, and return to the same job. Both are entitled to it: they choose who takes it, and can even split the period between them. Maternity pay is pounds 200 per month and, for the first six months, is not means-tested.

Karen A Pawelczik

Bochum, Germany