Get your wish Alex Latham-Reynolds, you are about to make history! In September, he’ll become the first male parent to test the enhanced paternity leave— which we boosted this past spring. This historic moment couldn’t come at a more crucial time. Carrying on these conversations have brought attention to the UK’s abysmal paternity leave, some of the worst in all of Europe. UK dads now get only two weeks statutory leave. They are paid the equivalent of £184.03 per week during this period. Alarmingly, one-third of fathers return to work immediately after welcoming their child.
The campaign to reform America’s paternity leave policy is quickly gathering steam. Local MPs such as Shaun Davies are at the forefront of the battle, passionately campaigning for improved compassionate leave policies. Davies’s dedication to this issue matches a wide-ranging agreement among legislators that something has to give. In 2020, Stella Creasy became the first MP to use a pilot scheme providing full locum cover for her first child. Her decision created a strong precedent for any future parental leave efforts.
In 2021, the UK government adopted an environmental bill. This piece of legislation opens the door for ministers to take six months of maternity leave with pay at 100 percent. This important progress has not reached paternity leave, which is still sparse and rigid. The cross-party women and equalities select committee has echoed this sentiment, characterizing the UK’s statutory parental leave system as “one of the worst in the developed world,” citing “fundamental flaws” that need urgent attention.
This new attitude towards MPs taking a stand for parental responsibility is greatly welcomed. Ian Murray recently became the first cabinet minister to take full paternity leave following the birth of his second child. Luke Charters, another Labour MP, has announced plans to take at least four weeks of paternity leave when his second son arrives. Even Charters, who celebrated this important decision, could recognize how significant this decision would be, saying,
“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.”
His announcement has led to great jubilation among millions of constituents. That’s why they are applauding his decision to put his family first during this critical time.
The “Dad Shift” campaign collective have likewise made a grass tops push to demanding better parental leave policies. Earlier this week, they organized a “dad strike” in front of the Department for Business and Trade in London. Their aim was certainly to highlight the critical need for reform. In spite of these efforts, Rachel Reeves’ recent shadow spending review did not offer a single improvement for dads on paternity leave.
Ipsa chair Richard Lloyd commented on the ongoing efforts to create a more family-friendly workplace for parliamentarians, stating that they are “continually looking at ways to support a family-friendly parliament.” Given these changing public sentiments, this recognition is key to ensuring fathers are involved and engaged in early childcare.
He’s convinced that if we don’t start modeling this behavior now, the next generation will be lost.
“Paternity leave – any parental leave – is not rest, it’s essential caregiving at the start of a child’s life.”
That’s something that Alex Latham-Reynolds hopes to help change with his own experience — helping shift perceptions around fatherhood and work-life balance. He remarked,
“I think it’s really important to kind of model that behaviour and sort of lead by example,” he added.
As these fathers come to understand their new roles as caregivers, advocates are hopeful for the change that lies ahead. They hope that this transition will encourage more widespread changes in paternity leave policy across the United Kingdom.
“I think it shows there’s a shift in perspective happening, that the importance of dads being around is being recognised.”
As these fathers step into their new roles with an emphasis on caregiving, advocates hope these changes will prompt broader reforms in paternity leave policies across the UK.