One in four men who became fathers in 2016 did not qualify for paternity leave or pay, according to new TUC analysis published yesterday (18 June 2017).
In 2016 there were around 625,000 working fathers around the UK with a child under one. However, a quarter of them (25 per cent) – more than 157,000 new fathers – did not qualify for the up to two weeks’ statutory paternity leave and statutory paternity pay.
The main reason is that they were self-employed – this affected nearly 113,000 working fathers. Unlike self-employed mothers who are eligible for a maternity allowance, fathers who work for themselves do not get a similar paternity allowance.
Another 44,000 fathers did not get paid paternity leave or pay because they had not been working for their employer for long enough. The law requires employees to have at least six months’ service with their current employer by the 15th week before the baby is due to qualify for paternity leave.
The TUC is concerned that so many fathers are missing out on the chance to spend valuable time at home with their partners and babies because they cannot afford to.
Many low-paid fathers struggle to take the time off because statutory paternity pay is just £140.98 a week. This is less than half what someone on the minimum wage would earn over a 40-hour week (£300).
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It’s really important for dads to be able to spend time at home with their families when they have a new baby. But too many fathers are missing out because they don’t qualify– or because they can’t afford to use their leave.
“We’d like to see all dads being given a right to longer, better-paid leave when a child is born. And for this to be a day one right. When parents share caring responsibilities it helps strengthen relationships – and makes it easier for mothers to continue their careers.”
The TUC believes the government should give new fathers:
- A right to statutory paternity leave for all workers from day one in the job, in the same way that maternity leave is a day one right.
- Increased paternity pay. The TUC wants the government to increase statutory paternity pay to at least minimum wage levels.
- A paternity allowance for fathers who are not eligible for statutory paternity pay. This would be similar to the maternity allowance which can be claimed by self-employed mothers and mothers who have been with their employers for a short time.
- Dedicated leave for fathers. Government should introduce an additional month of well-paid parental leave and reserve it for fathers only to use.
* Read the TUC publication Leave and pay for fathers and partners here
* TUC https://www.tuc.org.uk/
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