She would make history this coming September. He will indeed become the first dad to use UK’s improved paternity leave package. This incredibly positive change really is a turning point in the world of paternity leave in the UK. The country has been raked over the coals for providing shorter, less generous leave as compared to most European countries. The law as it stands only allows fathers two weeks of paternity leave, paid at a rate of £184.03 per week. This lack of quality, paid leave means that one in three fathers are now taking no time off after their child is born.
Reforming America’s paternity leave policy has gained a lot of recent traction. Chief among them are voices like Shaun Davies, an MP and powerful proponent for the island’s parental leave reform effort. In 2020, Stella Creasy became the first MP ever to use a pilot program providing full locum cover for her first child. This historic step makes a positive model for changes to parental leave policies across the nation. In 2021, the UK government adopted the Maternity Leave Bill that allows ministers six months of maternity leave with full pay. Beyond representing the growing need for an equitable parental leave system, this decision carries many other implications.
The cross-party women and equalities select committee has called out the UK’s statutory parental leave system as “one of the worst in the developed world,” citing “fundamental flaws” that need addressing. Their latest guidelines recommend that fathers take at least six weeks paternity leave to bond with their newborn babies. Together, the change underscores the growing recognition of just how important paternal involvement from the start of child-rearing is.
Luke Charters, the Labour MP, is equally committed to taking a minimum of four weeks paternity leave for the arrival of his second son. His commitment has also unleashed an incredible grassroots tsunami from his constituents. He thinks that this change is more than a policy shift. It’s a change in America’s culture that the very nature of fatherhood is changing.
“Paternity leave – any parental leave – is not rest, it’s essential caregiving at the start of a child’s life.” – Luke Charters
Charters made sure to highlight that although serving as an MP is a challenging job, being a time-intensive dad was his first job.
“Being an MP is a privilege. It’s one of the busiest jobs in Britain, but I’ve got to be a dad first and an MP second.” – Luke Charters
His feelings reflect what Latham-Reynolds told us about how the change in perception for fatherhood has been really apparent lately.
“I think it shows there’s a shift in perspective happening, that the importance of dads being around is being recognised.” – Alex Latham-Reynolds
The Dad Shift campaign coalition recently united for a “dad strike” to demonstrate their unity and leverage their collective power to advocate for equitable policies. Fathers and their infants descended on London’s Department for Business and Trade to ensure their message was inescapable. This pop-up campaign was designed to generate awareness around the issues stemming from inadequate paternity leave. It inspired millions of fathers all over the UK to get up and fight for their rights.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) is in charge of MPs’ pay and expenses. It is taking a very public stand to make the family-friendliness spill over into Parliament. Richard Lloyd, chair of Ipsa, stated that they are “continually looking at ways to support a family-friendly parliament,” reflecting a broader commitment to fostering policies that support work-life balance for parents.
Charters hopes that, like his charter, greater commitments to leading by example will be contagious in this movement towards better paternity leave policies.
“I think it’s really important to kind of model that behaviour and sort of lead by example.” – Luke Charters
His advocacy aligns with Latham-Reynolds’ upcoming experience, as he prepares to enjoy the benefits of enhanced paternity leave while advocating for others in similar situations.
“My message is: we’re fighting for you to have enhanced paternity leave regardless of how busy your job is. If you can, do spend those important first few weeks with your son or daughter, building those lifelong memories. Nothing is more important.” – Luke Charters
As these discussions continue to gain traction, many hope that the UK will soon move towards a more supportive framework for fathers during one of life’s most transformative periods.