Recent research conducted by Pregnant Then Screwed - in collaboration with Women In Data - sheds light on the challenges faced by fathers in the UK when it comes to taking paternity leave. With the impending changes in paternity leave legislation, it's crucial to address the financial and societal barriers that prevent many fathers from fully embracing their entitlement to parental leave.

The findings reveal a staggering 70.6% of fathers who only utilised part of their paternity leave entitlement cited financial constraints as the primary reason. Despite the upcoming Paternity Leave Amendment Regulations 2024, enabling fathers to split their leave into more manageable segments, the core issue of insufficient statutory paternity pay persists. Currently, the UK offers the least generous paternity leave entitlement in Europe, with statutory pay capped at £172.48 per week or 90% of salary (whichever is lower).

Only 63.7% of fathers took two weeks or less of paternity leave following the birth of their most recent child, indicating a significant gap in the uptake of parental leave. Access to enhanced paternity pay through employer benefit schemes remains limited, especially for households with incomes below £60,000. Even when fathers have access to enhanced leave, nearly half (48.3%) could only take two weeks or less, highlighting the disconnect between availability and actual utilisation.

Pregnant Then Screwed advocates for a substantial increase in paternity leave to six weeks, paid at 90% of salary, as a means to address the existing disparities. A collaborative 2023 report from Pregnant Then Screwed, The Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP), and Women in Data underscores the potential societal and economic benefits of such a policy change. Notably, extending paid paternity leave could contribute to reducing the gender pay gap and fostering greater gender equality in the labour market.

The research also delves into the readiness of fathers to return to work after their paternity leave. While only 32.3% felt physically prepared to return, a mere 14% and 12.8% were mentally and emotionally ready, respectively. This highlights the need for comprehensive support systems that address not only financial concerns but also the holistic well-being of fathers during the transition back to work.

Joeli Brearley – CEO and Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed commented:

“Paternity leave isn’t a break from work, it isn’t a holiday – it is crucial bonding time. We know that paternity leave has huge benefits for the whole family: children do better in the education system, and there is research to suggest they have better physical health. Paternity leave reduces the divorce rate – couples are more likely to stay together. It has benefits for the physical and mental health of mothers, and we know that many dads are desperate to spend more time with their children. When fathers and partners take paternity leave, it supports the mother’s return to the labour market. We need a parental leave system which recognises and supports the crucial role dads play in families.”