National Dad’s coffee morning marks paternity leave anniversary

• Amanda Hack MP met with Dads from across North West Leicestershire, joining a string of similar events around the country.
• They discussed the challenges facing dads today, including limited paternity leave.
• Today is the 22nd anniversary of Labour’s introduction of Statutory Paternity Leave, which new research shows has benefitted 4 million babies across the UK
• The new Government has committed to paternity leave as a day one right of employment, meaning you are entitled even if you just started your job. 

The morning was held in partnership with The Dad Shift campaign group to celebrate the introduction of Statutory Paternity Leave by the last Labour government 22 years ago. Research from The Dad Shift shows that over 4 million babies have since benefitted from having their father at home in the first two weeks.

Amanda Hack MP met with Dads during a drop-in session at Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club. They discussed the pressures on new Dads bringing up children locally and what the Government can do to support them.

Amanda Hack said:

“Meeting with Dads here at Ashby Ivanhoe has been really insightful. Across our area, families have struggled in recent years, and I know that Dads, in particular, struggle to get enough time with their children in those first months. Many told me how they would have loved to spend more time at home during those first few months, being around for more of those early milestones. I want Dads to know that what they do is appreciated and celebrate their role in the family.”

George Gabriel, Founder of The Dad Shift said

“We know that Dads want to spend more time with their young children, and we know that across the country, most people agree that would be a good thing. It is great to see people across the country coming together to talk about the importance of Dads being there in those early days, and discussing how we can change the system to make it better. 2 weeks simply isn’t enough.” 

Ten years ago the coalition introduced Shared Parental Leave – by which mothers can share some of their leave allowance with their partners, however with uptake of SPL at less than 2% nationally momentum is building for further reform. Labour’s Employment Rights Bill will make statutory paternity leave a day 1 right, meaning you are entitled to it from the day you start your job, and campaigners hope an upcoming review of parental leave will see the UK’s dads given more time off with their new babies.