Overview

• A House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee report criticises the UK’s two-week statutory paternity leave as one of the lowest in the developed world and says it entrenches outdated gender roles.
• Ministers have pledged under the Employment Rights Bill to establish day-one rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave and are now conducting a wider review of the system.
• The committee urges boosting statutory paternity pay to 90% of average earnings for the first six weeks and phasing in increases to at least 80% of earnings for all working parents.
• Lawmakers call for simplification of the Shared Parental Leave scheme and propose introducing a paternity allowance for self-employed fathers to close current coverage gaps.
• Research cited in the report shows 45% of UK fathers face anxiety or depression in their baby’s first year and 82% consider improved paternity leave crucial for mental health support.