PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Increase Statutory Paternity Leave to a minimum 12 weeks paid leave for fathers
Amend employment law to extend Statutory Paternity Leave to at least 12 weeks for fathers, paid at a meaningful rate. This should be a protected entitlement separate from maternity leave and not dependent on Shared Parental Leave. with protection from workplace discrimination and financial penalty.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
462
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 462/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 462/100,000
Background
The UK provides only 1–2 weeks of low-paid paternity leave. Postnatal depression affects around 1 in 10 mothers and up to 10% of fathers. Early paternal bonding improves child development and family stability. The UK ranks near the bottom among OECD nations for father-specific leave. Fathers should not be forced to use annual leave or unpaid time to support their families. Investing in fathers early reduces long-term social and economic costs. Modern policy must reflect modern families.