Increase paternity leave to 6 weeks at 90% of salary
Increase paternity leave to 6 weeks at 90% of salary
Why this petition matters
When my son, Jack, was born, I was elated. He was small and beautiful with fingers that were so tiny and delicate. I didn’t think it was possible to love something as much as I loved him. Every fibre of my being wanted to spend as much time with him as possible, but we simply couldn’t afford for me to do that, so with a heavy heart I returned to work.
Paternity leave in the UK is £172 a week for 2 weeks. This benefit can only be accessed by dads and second parents who have been employed for at least 6 months, so many have no entitlement to paternity leave whatsoever. Shared parental leave is a failed policy that has barely shifted the amount of time dads and second parents can take out of work to care for their children. Long-held societal norms about gendered parenting are shifting but our parental leave system is not keeping pace.
I couldn’t understand why I was not being supported to take time out to care for my child when paternity leave has obvious and considerable benefits for children, families and women’s careers - not to mention a father’s mental health.
That’s why I’m calling on the UK Govt. to increase paternity leave to six weeks paid at 90% of their salary.
Studies show that involved dads raise happier and healthier children, who have improved learning outcomes. Paternity leave has a direct impact on a child’s performance in secondary school.
Some people think that only mothers are naturally equipped to care for children, but fathers are just as capable of developing these neural pathways.
To create a society where equality thrives, we first need equality in a home environment. We will never achieve that while our legislation favours only mothers caring for their offspring over fathers.
It is too late for Jack and I. Those early years have passed us by but it is important we make a change for the future of our children, for families and for gender equality.
We need the Government to increase paternity leave to 6 weeks paid at 90% of their salary if we are to keep pace with other competing nations. This benefit must be accessible to same-sex parents and all dads and second parents who work.
Please sign and share.
Tom Higham, (Jack’s Dad and board member Pregnant Then Screwed)
#equalleave
Decision-Makers
- Kemi Badenoch MPSecretary of State for Business and Trade