Fathers call for paternity leave to be 'modernised'

Ian Sperring is sharing leave with his wife after their second child was born

Campaigners are calling for paternity leave to be "modernised" to help fathers be more present in family life.

The Dad Shift, a group of parents from across the UK, is urging the government for "affordable and equal leave for both parents in every relationship".

Co-founder Alex Lloyd Hunter, from Somerset, said they were also working to raise awareness, as most dads are unaware they can share parental leave - with less than 5% (10,600) of fathers in the UK choosing this option.

The government said it "knows the parental leave system needs improving" and added it is currently carrying out a comprehensive review "to make sure it truly works for modern families".

Introduced in 2014, parents together can now share up to 50 weeks of leave during the first year after the baby is born.

But if fathers do not opt to share leave, they are only offered two paid weeks off work under the UK's statutory paternity leave system. This money is less than half the minimum wage and self-employed people are not offered any benefits.

One of the campaign's supporters, Ian Sperring from Bath, did choose to share parental leave with his wife.

He said: "It started with the very first moment my kids were born, wanting to be there for as long as possible to support them and support my wife."

Mr Lloyd Hunter told BBC Radio Somerset he wanted to start a campaign to "join the mothers who are already campaigning for better paternity leave to get better support after their kids are born and bring dads into the conversation".

"We want to support our partners properly, we want to be closer to our kids, we want to do our fair share at home, so that's what the campaign is trying to achieve," he added.

Earlier this year, a committee of MPs called the UK's parental leave system "one of the worst in the developed world" with "fundamental flaws".

Mr Lloyd Hunter campaigns to encourage a more balanced approach to parental responsibilities

Group leaders also now offer online support to struggling parents.

Some fathers told the Dad Shift they have been "forced back to work when their babies were barely a week old, missing precious early moments" and others felt "caught between financial necessity and the deep desire to be present for their families".

Mr Lloyd Hunter said: "In all the other countries that have improved paternity leave, what you see is that, because it's easier for families to share things more equally at home, it makes it easier for mothers to basically go and succeed in the world of work."

The group welcomed a government review published in July looking at parental leave, which is due to be completed by the end of 2026.

Kate Dearden, minister for employment rights, said no dad should feel they cannot spend meaningful time with their children.

"I'm committed to ensuring they have the strongest possible backing to balance work and family life as part of our Plan to Make Work Pay.

"We know the current parental leave system needs improving, which is why we're carrying out a comprehensive review to make sure it truly works for modern families.

"Our landmark Employment Rights Bill will also make paternity leave a right from day one, a vital step in giving parents the flexibility and support they deserve," she added.