A cross-party group of MPs, the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), has published a report criticizing the UK's statutory parental leave system, particularly paternity leave, as 'outdated and unequal' and 'one of the worst in the developed world'. The report calls for 'bold' action, including increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks, to be implemented within this Parliament. It highlights the low uptake of shared parental leave due to complexity and low pay, and notes the significant disparity in spending between maternity and paternity pay. The report comes ahead of the world's first 'dad strike' in London, advocating for an overhaul of parental leave policies.
Paternity leave in UK is outdated and unequal, say MPs
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A cross-party group of MPs, the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC), has published a report criticizing the UK's statutory parental leave system, particularly paternity leave, as 'outdated and unequal' and 'one of the worst in the developed world'. The report calls for 'bold' action, including increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks, to be implemented within this Parliament. It highlights the low uptake of shared parental leave due to complexity and low pay, and notes the significant disparity in spending between maternity and paternity pay. The report comes ahead of the world's first 'dad strike' in London, advocating for an overhaul of parental leave policies.
Trending- 1 2003: Statutory paternity leave introduced in the UK.
- 2 2014: Shared parental leave introduced in the UK.
- 3 2021: New paternity leave rules introduced in France.
- 4 September 2024: James Yeates' son Luca born.
- 5 2023/24: HMRC data shows significant disparity in spending on maternity vs. paternity pay.
- 6 Monday, June 10, 2025: Women and Equalities Committee report published.
- 7 Wednesday: World's first 'dad strike' expected outside the Department for Business and Trade in London.
- 8 Before mid-July: Government's forthcoming review on parental leave entitlements due.
- Entrenchment of outdated gender stereotypes
- Fathers feeling unable to be present parents
- Financial strain on families due to low paternity pay
- Low uptake of shared parental leave
- Increased calls for government policy changes
- Public protests (dad strike)
- Potential long-term impacts on gender equality in the workplace and at home
What: A report by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) states that the UK's statutory parental leave system, especially paternity leave, is 'outdated and unequal', 'one of the worst in the developed world', and has 'fundamental flaws'. It recommends increasing paternity pay to 90% or more and paternity leave to six weeks, and addressing the complexity and low uptake of shared parental leave. The report also highlights the significant disparity in spending between maternity and paternity pay.
When: Report published today (June 10, 2025). Statutory paternity leave introduced in 2003. Shared parental leave introduced in 2014. New rules introduced in France in 2021. James Yeates' son born September 2024. Government review on parental leave due before mid-July. World's first 'dad strike' expected on Wednesday.
Where: United Kingdom (UK), specifically London (for the dad strike) and Haverhill, Suffolk (James Yeates' location). Comparisons are made to Spain, France, and Sweden regarding parental leave policies.
Why: The current paternity leave system 'entrenches outdated gender stereotypes', is 'completely out of kilter with the cost of living', and prevents fathers from being 'more present parents'. Low pay and complexity deter the uptake of paternity and shared parental leave, leading to an unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities and financial strain on families.
How: The Women and Equalities Committee published a report detailing its findings and recommendations. The Department for Business and Trade is conducting a review of parental leave entitlements. Hundreds of fathers are organizing a 'dad strike' outside the Department for Business and Trade in London to call for policy overhaul.