Legislation allowing fathers or partners to split their statutory paternity leave into two blocks has been enacted today.
The Paternity Leave Amendment Regulations 2024, which will apply in all cases where the expected week of childbirth falls on or after 6 April 2024, allow paternity leave to be split into two blocks of one week at any point in the first year after the birth or adoption of their child.
For parents of babies born before 6 April, fathers or partners are only able to take one continuous block of paternity leave of one or two weeks within the first eight weeks after birth.
Statutory paternity leave changes
Under the amended legislation, the notice period required for each period of leave has been shortened to 28 days, or four weeks, instead of 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.
The changes were announced by the government in June 2023, when it published its response to a consultation on parental leave and pay.
The regulations come into force today (8 March 2024) to allow parents of children born or adopted on or after 6 April to give the required 28 days’ notice.
However, many campaigners have suggested the current paternity leave entitlement is not enough, and many fathers and partners cannot afford to take their full entitlement because of financial concerns.
A survey from campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed found that three in five fathers took two weeks or less paternity level following the birth of their most recent child. Seventy per cent eho did not take their full entitlement said they could not afford to.
Only 29% of fathers had access to enhanced paternity leave or pay through their employer.
Pregnant Then Screwed is calling for statutory paternity leave to be increased to six weeks paid at 90% of salary.
CEO Joeli Brearley said: “Paternity leave isn’t a break from work, it isn’t a holiday – it is crucial bonding time.
“We know that paternity leave has huge benefits for the whole family: children do better in the education system, and there is research to suggest they have better physical health. Paternity leave reduces the divorce rate – couples are more likely to stay together. It has benefits for the physical and mental health of mothers, and we know that many dads are desperate to spend more time with their children.
“When fathers and partners take paternity leave, it supports the mother’s return to the labour market. We need a parental leave system which recognises and supports the crucial role dads play in families.”
Mark Freed, CEO of the Men for Inclusion network, said: “Men embracing parental leave and flexible working breaks down outdated stereotypes and paves the way for cultural transformation.
“The current lack of take-up of paternity leave and hybrid working opportunities by men is indicative of men hanging on to or feeling pressure to comply with outdated male stereotypes. Work that frees men from this pressure will benefit everyone, drive cultural change and remove barriers and additional responsibilities placed on women.”
Several other family-friendly regulations will come into effect on 6 April in England, Scotland and Wales, including enhanced redundancy protections for new parents, carer’s leave and the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
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