Construction Workers Plan Westminster Condom Stunt to Press for Paternity Leave for the Self-Employed

Overview

• Tradesmen from across the UK plan to hand MPs condoms branded “this lasts longer than our paternity leave” to spotlight the issue.
• Self-employed fathers currently receive no statutory paternity pay or leave, whereas employees get two weeks paid at £187.18 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings.
• Self-employed mothers can claim up to 39 weeks of maternity allowance, which campaigners cite to highlight the entitlement gap.
• The push is led by On The Tools and The Dad Shift with backing from Labour MPs Alistair Strathern and Amanda Martin.
• A poll by On The Tools found about one in three fathers in construction did not take time off at their last child’s birth, often citing cost, and campaigners report no government commitment yet.