‘Two weeks of paternity leave is just too little for the 21st Century’

As a new report describes the UK’s paternity leave policy as “one of the worst in the developed world”, we speak to a new father, a campaigner and a business group to see just what the problem is.

“When my son was born there’s a lot of happiness and joy, you have a newborn but this a huge change in your life,” says Luis Palacio.

“You find yourself being tired, sleep deprivation and I also like taking care of the newborn, but you’re still expected to do eight hours at work,” the technical manager, who lives in Leeds, explains.

Introduced in 2003, statutory paternity leave, allows most new fathers and second parents in the UK to take up to two weeks off work.

Luis says although welcome, a fortnight is not enough time “to adapt” to the huge changes fatherhood imposes.

“Not only tangible changes in your daily life and routines, but the changes in your mental health.

“Two weeks seems too little for the 21st Century,” he adds.

Fathers who are eligible receive £187.18 a week or 90% of their average earnings, whichever is lower.

If a father is self-employed or earns less than £123 a week then he is not entitled to paternity leave.

Some businesses may offer more generous policies as part of their benefits for employees.

The statutory offer is the “worst in Europe,” according to Alex Lloyd Hunter, the co-founder of campaign group The Dad Shift.

Hundreds of fathers are expected to picket outside the Department for Business and Trade in London later calling for an overhaul of the UK’s parental leave policies.

Mr Lloyd Hunter says the average paternity leave across Europe is eight weeks on full pay.

The most generous offer is Spain, which gives dads 16 weeks on full pay, while further north Sweden offers parents 90 days each and an extra 300 days they can share between them.

“There are loads of examples of how to do this well,” he says.

Luke Charters, Labour MP for York Outer, agrees the system needs changing and has been advocating for a more generous policy.

“Those few weeks at the start of a child’s life are just so important and form that bond and connections,” he ssays.

That is something Mr Palacio is also aware of.

“There are studies showing that if fathers don’t get this bonding with their children from the beginning it can create a long term disengagement,” he says.

A report published on Tuesday by the Women and Equalities Committee says paternity leave rules “entrench outdated gender stereotypes” and that “bold” action is needed – albeit at a steep financial cost.

The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses across the area, says the “growing national conversation around parental leave” is welcome.

Chief executive Louisa Harrison-Walker believes proposals to support working parents could “offer long-term benefits” to both individuals and businesses.

“However, any changes to statutory entitlements must also carefully consider the financial and operational realities that employers – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – are currently facing,” she adds.

Mr Lloyd Hunter says 90% of fathers want to be involved more in their children’s lives and the system needs to “catch up”.

“Fathers recognise how important it is to be more involved in their chidren’s lives.

“As a society we are blocking that by not updating a system that was built for an era that no longer exists,” he adds

A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said the government was carrying out a review to see how it best can support working families.

“This government is committed to making sure parents receive the best possible support to balance their work and home lives,” they said.

A spokesperson added it was already in the process of ensuring dads no longer need to be employed for 26 weeks to be entitled to paternity leave.