Research on paternity leave found that 70 percent of fathers only used part of their leave entitlement because they couldn’t afford to remain off work for the full period.
The survey of 35,800 parents, by the Pregnant Then Screwed campaign in partnership with Women In Data, found that three in five fathers took two weeks or less paternity leave following the birth of their most recent child.
Less than a third (29 percent) of dads reported being able to access enhanced paternity leave pay, with this proportion dropping to one in five for fathers where the household income is under £60,000. And nearly half (48 percent) of fathers with access to enhanced paternity pay were still only able to take two weeks or less of paternity leave, having to cut the time with their new-born short.
The research examined paternity leave uptake in the UK and the barriers that dads face accessing enhanced paternity leave.
Changes in paternity leave law, which came into effect on 8 March 2024 under the Paternity Leave Amendment Regulations 2024, will enable fathers and partners of children born or adopted after the 6th of April to split paternity leave into two one-week blocks instead of having to take it in one two-week block.
However, campaign groups have criticised the changes for failing to address the overall low rate of statutory paternity pay. They also said the legislation does not increase the overall length of time dads and partners can spend with their new baby.
Increase paternity leave
Pregnant Then Screwed is calling for paternity leave to be increased to six weeks paid at 90 percent of salary.
The campaign said that the UK has the least generous paternity leave entitlement in Europe. Currently, the statutory entitlement to paternity leave is two weeks, and the weekly rate for paternity pay is £172.48 a week or 90 percent of your salary, whichever is lower.
Joeli Brearley, CEO and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, said: “Paternity leave isn’t a break from work, it isn’t a holiday – it is crucial bonding time. We know that paternity leave has huge benefits for the whole family: children do better in the education system, and there is research to suggest they have better physical health.
“Paternity leave reduces the divorce rate – couples are more likely to stay together. It has benefits for the physical and mental health of mothers, and we know that many dads are desperate to spend more time with their children. When fathers and partners take paternity leave, it supports the mother’s return to the labour market. We need a parental leave system which recognises and supports the crucial role dads play in families.”
