76% of the public agree “Fathers these days want to be a bigger part of their children’s lives”
A major new campaign has been launched by British dads calling on Keir Starmer to increase paternity leave for new fathers and co-parents. The campaign is seeking to improve the UK’s paternity leave offer, which at just two weeks each paid £184.03 is the worst in Europe.
Campaigners put baby slings on statues across London and Edinburgh, highlighting the role many sportsmen, artists, historical figures and members of the public play as fathers and how this is often forgotten.
This comes as a poll of 4,043 adults found 76% agree that “Fathers these days want to be a bigger part of their children’s lives”, rising to 90% among dads and 83% among Labour voters.
With Labour committed to a review of parental leave policies in their first year in office, The Dad Shift is inviting members of the public and major national figures to sign their letter to Keir Starmer, calling on him as a fellow father to get behind the campaign.
George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift said, “We’re celebrating the role these figures played as fathers as we launch this new campaign for better paternity leave. 90% of dads agree that fathers these days want to be a bigger part of their kids’ lives.
“Having seen Keir Starmer stand up for his right to spend time with his children we know he gets it and are sure that a better deal for British dads and co-parents is possible.”
Alex Lloyd Hunter, co-founder of The Dad Shift said, “Decent paternity leave is good for fathers, good for mothers and good for babies too. We are calling for paternity leave that is affordable for people to take, gives a substantial allowance of time, and supports equality among parents. It’s past time we caught up with the rest of Europe and backed British families.”
The UK’s current statutory paternity offer ranks 40/43 across the entire OECD in financial terms, but a growing number of employers offer substantially more generous and appropriate leave. These include Aviva, who offer 6 months parental leave to both mums and dads.
Influential Labour MP Josh Simons said, “As the dad of two young kids, I know that parenting in Britain is exhausting and expensive. Hardworking parents have less time and money to give to their local communities and economies than they should and I want that to change. I look forward to the government’s review of parental leave and hope it begins to build a fairer approach to paternity leave that strengthens families and unlocks growth.”
Marvyn Harrison, co-founder of The Dad Shift and founder of Dope Black Dads said, “One in three British dads take no paternity leave at all and one in two of those who do face financial hardship as a result. We need to set dads and co-parents up for success and there’s more and more evidence that doing so will help grow businesses and the economy too.”
Thomas Lynch, CEO of Dads Rock Scotland said, “Scottish dads and co-parents want to play a full role in the lives of their kids from day one. We need Westminster to play its part and deliver better paternity leave. With the UK’s offer the worst in Europe it’s well past time.”
Jeremy Davies, Deputy CEO of the Fatherhood Institute said, “There’s been a quiet revolution going on for many years in UK families, with fathers doing more hands-on caregiving than ever. But the UK’s paternity offer is now the worst in Europe, and dads from all walks of life have had enough. Fathers want more time with their children, and the evidence is clear that children, mothers and the UK economy – not to mention dads themselves – would benefit as a result.”
