The Women and Equalities Committee chairwoman has raised concerns about the inadequate paternity leave system in the UK, stating it falls behind other developed nations in terms of support for working parents.

Sarah Owen emphasized the need for a significant overhaul of the current parental leave system to better align with the realities of modern working parents.

She pointed out that the UK's statutory leave offerings for fathers and parents are among the worst in the developed world, highlighting a maximum of two weeks' paternity leave as insufficient and reinforcing outdated gender stereotypes.

Challenges with Paternity Pay

The committee's report highlighted that the UK's parental pay rates are significantly below the cost of living, have not kept up with inflation, and are lower than those in comparable countries.

It recommended raising paternity pay to match maternity pay levels during the first six weeks, where individuals receive 90% of their average earnings.

The committee also suggested amending legislation to ensure a day one right to paid leave and gradually increasing statutory pay rates to at least 80% of average earnings or the real living wage.

Proposed Solutions

Furthermore, the committee called for self-employed working fathers to receive statutory paid leave, proposing the introduction of a paternity allowance similar to the maternity allowance.

It emphasized the need to review and potentially simplify eligibility rules, including employment status, time in service, and earnings criteria, to ensure fair access to parental leave for all working parents.