The paternity leave offer for new dads in the UK is “one of the worst in the developed world”, according to a new report. The government says the system needs to be “improved” and has promised to review parental leave.
In the UK, new fathers and second parents in full-time employment can take up to two weeks off work, receiving £187.18 a week, or 90% of their average earnings, whichever is lower. This applies to all partners, regardless of gender, after the birth, surrogacy, or adoption of a baby, but not those who are self-employed or dads earning less than £123 a week.
In comparison, other European countries have more generous paternity leave policies. In Spain, dads are entitled to 16 weeks at full pay, including for those who are self-employed. In France, dads can take four weeks off work, with the first week being mandatory and the remaining 21 days optional. In Denmark, dads can take up to 24 weeks off work at full pay by the state. In Sweden, parents can share up to 480 days of parent leave, with 90 days reserved specifically for each parent.
Some companies pay out of their own pocket for enhanced paternity leave policies beyond the statutory minimum, but research showed just 12% of fathers from low-income households had access to their full entitlement of employer-enhanced parental leave and pay. A report published by the Women and Equalities Committee suggested the government should consider increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks in a phased approach. The government has promised to review maternity leave, paternity leave, and shared parental leave.
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