UK paternity leave system 'outdated and underfunded', say MPs

The UK’s statutory paternity leave system is “one of the worst in the developed world” and in urgent need of reform, a cross-party group of MPs has warned.

In a new report published by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), MPs say current parental leave rules are outdated, underfunded, and reinforce traditional gender roles. The Committee is calling for bold action to modernise the system and better support working families.

Statutory paternity leave was introduced in 2003 and allows most new fathers and second parents up to two weeks off after the birth, adoption, or surrogacy of a child. Eligible parents receive £187.18 per week or 90% of their average earnings—whichever is lower. This amounts to less than half the National Living Wage. Self-employed fathers and those earning under £123 per week are not eligible.

The report describes the current offer as “completely out of kilter with the cost of living.” It recommends increasing paternity leave to six weeks and boosting pay to 90% or more of a parent's regular income, in a phased approach within this Parliament.

UK lags behind global standards in paternity and shared parental leav

The UK lags behind many other developed nations. In Spain, new fathers receive 16 weeks of fully paid leave. In France, 28 days are offered at full pay. Sweden provides up to 480 days of paid parental leave per family, with 90 days reserved for fathers.

The report also highlights the shortcomings of Shared Parental Leave (SPL), introduced in 2014. SPL allows parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay, but is used in fewer than 2% of eligible cases. A 2023 review found that 45% of fathers were unaware it was even an option.

Fathers call for change ahead of government parental leave review

Hundreds of fathers are expected to join a protest outside the department on Wednesday, calling for urgent reform.

New research from The Dad Shift and MP Shaun Davies shows only 3% of UK parental leave spending supports fathers. In 2023/24, £3.3bn was paid in maternity leave, compared to just £69m in paternity pay and £34.4m in shared parental pay.

The government says a review of parental leave is due by mid-July and is working to remove the 26-week employment requirement for paternity leave, aiming to improve support for all parents.