Dads Went On Strike – Now, Parental Leave Might Be Getting An Overhaul

A matter of weeks after the world’s first ‘DadStrike’, where parents gathered to protest the UK’s statutory paternity leave offer, the UK government has announced a review of the parental leave and pay system. 

The review will look at the whole system – from maternity and paternity leave to shared parental leave – to see how it can work better for parents and employers.

Views will be gathered from parents, employers and experts across the country, culminating in a roadmap for possible reforms, with the aim being to better support families and grow the economy.

Campaigners have hailed the move as “the best chance in a generation” to improve the system.

Why is it needed?

In a press release, the UK government acknowledged that the current parental leave system is complicated and doesn’t always give families the support they need.

One in three dads don’t take paternity leave because they can’t afford to, and take-up of shared parental leave remains very low.

Yet research shows that better parental leave can help close the gender pay gap and boost the economy.

In March this year, mothers opened up about how the UK’s statutory maternity pay offering is not enough to meet the basic costs of living, making it “impossible to live a good life”.

In the UK, statutory maternity pay is paid for up to 39 weeks and parents get 90% of their average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks, followed by £184.03 or 90% of their average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

This is less than half the weekly National Living Wage. 

The UK’s statutory paternity pay offer is even more measly. At just two weeks on less than half the minimum wage – and nothing for self-employed dads – it has been described as the least generous paternity offer in Europe.

On top of this, analysis of shared parental leave found uptake is skewed towards higher earners – with The Dad Shift, the campaign group behind DadStrike, previously telling the BBC it is “failing working families”.

Discussing the new review, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Those early years are the most special time for families, but too many struggle to balance their work and home lives.

“Supporting working parents isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s vital for our economy.”

The announcement follows a series of changes already progressing in the Employment Rights Bill to improve parental leave and pay.

These include: making paternity leave, unpaid parental leave and flexible working ‘a day one right’; enabling paternity leave and pay to be taken after shared parental leave and pay; and enhancing dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers returning to work.

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Campaigners have long called for change, and this government has listened. This review is our chance to reset the system and build something that works for modern families and businesses.”

Rachel Grocott, CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed, the campaign group behind 2022′s March of the Mummies, demanding reform of childcare, flexible working and parental leave, said: “It is great to see this long overdue review of the parental leave system. It’s time for the voices of mums, dads, parents and carers everywhere to be heard.

“After 6 weeks mothers are forced to survive maternity leave on 44% less then the National Minimum Wage, and dads are forced to suck up the same benefits for their 2 weeks.

“Yet we know improving parental leave helps children get the best start in life, as well as being better for parents’ heath and equality at home, and closing gender pay and participation gaps in the workplace too.

“Investing in parental leave will pay back above and beyond, to the bottom line and to society: it really is a no-brainer.”