The UK’s paternity leave system is among “the worst in the developed world,” having “fundamental flaws” according to a cross-party group of MPs. A report from the Women and Equalities Committee said that its rules “entrench outdated gender stereotypes,” as it called for “bold” action. Any changes however, would require significant investment.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said that the government will undertake a review to explore how it can support working families.
Introduced back in 2003, statutory paternity leave allows the majority of new fathers and second parents in the UK to take up to two weeks off from work. It applies regardless of sex to all parents following birth, surrogacy, or adoption of a baby. Anyone eligible can receive £187.18 per week or 90% of their average earnings, whichever one is lower.
This is less than half of the National Living Wage and any fathers self-employed or earning less than £123 per week is ineligible for statutory paternity leave.
This, the report says, is “completely out of kilter with the cost of living,” calling on the government to consider increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks in a phased approach.
Both of these, it recommends, should be done during this parliament. “We now have one of the worst statutory leave offers for fathers and other parents in the developed world,” the report said.
Spain offers new fathers 16 weeks off work with full pay, new rules in France introduced in 2021 allows 28 days with pay, and Swedish families are entitled 480 days of paid paternity leave, with 90 days reserved for dads.
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