Paternity Leave Low-income Earners 2025-12-11
2025-12-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Dad Shift's latest analysis shows that 90% of paternity leave is claimed by fathers in the top half of earners, with a significant proportion being from London and the south-east. The questioner mentions meeting Anna Whitehouse and George Gabriel later to discuss inclusive policies for all parents.
I thank the Minister for how seriously she is taking this issue when, according to the latest analysis by the Dad Shift, 90% of paternity leave is claimed by fathers in the top half of earners, with almost a third of those being in London and the south-east. Anna Whitehouse and George Gabriel, who I will meet later today, are among a huge cacophony of voices in this country that are crying out for us to recognise the need for inclusive policies that put the voices of all parents at the heart of our growth, health and wellbeing strategies. Can the Minister confirm that this Labour Government will finally put them there?
I thank my hon. Friend and those she mentions for their unwavering commitment to supporting parents—I was delighted to meet the Dad Shift recently. We are committed to improving the lives of working families. Alongside expanding access to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, benefiting over 1 million more parents, we are strengthening flexible working rights and bolstering protections for new and expectant mothers. But more needs to be done. This year, we launched the parental leave and pay review to explore how the system can better support working families and reflect modern work and childcare realities. I look forward to working with her and hearing further from her constituents about the impact those changes could have for working people, especially those on lower incomes.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm commitment specifically for inclusive policies that support all parents
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Low-income workers often cannot afford unpaid or low-paid leave, causing fathers to feel obliged to return to work to receive full pay. This question seeks steps the government can take to increase statutory paternity pay to match a reasonable proportion of wages across the UK.
Many low-income workers often cannot afford unpaid or low-paid leave, so fathers feel obliged to return to work to receive full pay. What steps can the Government take to increase statutory paternity pay to match the reasonable proportion of wages across the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The hon. Member will have heard my reference to a review. It will consider all forms of parental leave and pay, alongside current and future parental leave entitlements. I urge him to get involved in that process, and look forward to hearing from him as part of it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps for increasing statutory paternity pay
Urged Involvement In The Review
Response accuracy