Queen's Speech 2012: fathers to share parental leave However, business groups criticised the move. John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, warned that companies would face "endless" legal challenges and grievances resulting from "gender-neutral" parental leave. "Ministers have chosen to ignore the fact that a complex new system of shared parental leave brings fiendish complexity and huge uncertainty for employers," he said. Simon Walker, Director General of the Institute of Directors, also warned that allowing parental leave to be shared risked adding to the burden on companies. "The Government should be careful not to use this as an opportunity to increase levels of leave," he said. Sharing the allowance is fine, but putting heavier burdens on business in these tough times would not be a sensible move. However, Ken Sanderson, chief executive of the charity Families Need Fathers, said the plans would "send a clear message" that children need "the full involvement of two loving parents in their lives." He also backed moves to allow fathers more access to their children after parents split up. A government review of family law last year warned against introducing a legal presumption in favour of shared parenting, which would have given more rights to fathers after couples separate. The review warned that enshrining fathers" rights in law could pose an "unacceptable risk of damage to children." However, the Queen's Speech included a consultation on legal options to change the law in England and Wales so that both parents can have a relationship with a child after divorce, "where it is safe." Tim Loughton, the Children's Minister, said the consultation would begin "shortly." "We need to clarify and restore public confidence that the courts properly recognise the joint nature of parenting," he said. We intend to legislate to stress the importance of children having an ongoing relationship with both their parents after separation, where that is safe and in the child's best interests. The Bill, which is expected next year, will also cut the target time for completing family court cases to six months and reduce red tape in adoption cases that stops social workers placing children with parents from different ethnic backgrounds. It will give more powers to the Children's Commissioner for England to protect children's rights, taking over responsibilities from school inspectorate, Ofsted. The current Commissioner, Maggie Atkinson, will be given more independence from ministers and powers to investigate the impact of Government policy on children. The Bill also aims to give families more choice and control over support for children with special needs, including the right to a personal budget to pay for tailored help.