PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Give self-employed fathers paternity allowance & increase leave to 4 weeks
The Government should introduce statutory paternity allowance for self-employed fathers, similar to maternity allowance, and increase statutory paternity leave to at least 4 weeks. This could support families, promote early bonding, and improve parental equality.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
87
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 87/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 87/100,000
Background
Self-employed fathers get no statutory paternity leave or pay, and employed fathers get only 1–2 weeks, which we believe is not enough to support recovery from childbirth, including C-sections that can take 6–8 weeks to heal. Early parenthood can affect mental health, and many families need both parents present. Self-employed fathers pay tax like employees yet receive no statutory paternity support. We ask for a self-employed Paternity Allowance and at least 4 weeks paternity leave for all fathers.