Improve statutory paternity leave in the UK to better support families.

2,669
signatures
closedDepartment for Business and TradeOpened 30 January 2025Closed 30 July 2025

Background

1. Extend statutory paternity leave to a minimum of six weeks. 2. Increase statutory paternity pay to full income replacement. 3. Make it a legal requirement for employers to offer flexible arrangements to employees taking paternity leave (e.g. taking in chunks)

Additional details

We think the current statutory provisions for paternity leave are insufficient in length and pay, failing to adequately support new fathers and partners during the critical early weeks of a child’s life. We think this contributes to inequality in shared parenting responsibilities and undermines family wellbeing.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 708707.