In a report published on 10th June 2025, the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) highlighted the ‘fundamental failings’ in the UK’s paternity leave system, writes employment solicitor Amy Knowles
Since introducing a statutory paternity leave period of up to 2 weeks in 2003, the UK has fallen far behind and is now regarded as havingone of the ‘worst statutory leave offers for fathers and other parents in the developed world.’ Those eligible for paternity leave will receive just £187.18 a week, or 90% of their average earnings, whichever is lower. This is less than half of the National Living Wage.
The WEC’s report compares paternal leave in the UK with entitlements in other countries. In Sweden, parents can share up to 480 days of leave, with a minimum of 90 days reserved for each parent. This includes parents who are self-employed. In Spain, reforms in 2021 introduced paternity leave of up to 16 weeks, paid at 100% of earnings, with 6 weeks of leave being compulsory.
The report welcomes the Government’s intention to legislate for paternity leave as a day one right but calls on the Government to go much further than this by setting out a clear pathway to increase paid statutory paternity leave to six weeks within this Parliament. The report urges the Government to consider making a portion of paternity leave compulsory in order to challenge outdated gender norms and normalise fathers taking on a greater role in caring responsibilities.
The Chair of the WEC said: “Ministers must commit to meaningful reforms in the medium term, with a view to going further towards a more gender equal parental leave system. While much-needed substantial change to our paid parental leave system will require considerable financial investment, this would be outweighed by wider societal and economic benefits.”
You can read the report in full here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/48254/documents/252625/default/