Nottingham parents push for longer paternity leave in city march
Families, fathers and campaigners will gather at Victoria Embankment as part of a UK-wide day of action to reform the UK’s parental leave system
Families will take to the streets this weekend as part of a nationwide campaign calling on the Government to reform what organisers describe as the UK’s “broken” paternity leave system.
The “Push for Paternity Leave” campaign, led by Parenting Out Loud during Equal Parenting Week, will see coordinated events held in Nottingham, London, Manchester and Leeds. Participants are being encouraged to bring prams and children along to highlight the need for more equal parenting support from day one.
In Nottingham, the event will begin at 12pm on Saturday 2 May at the War Memorial in Memorial Gardens, Victoria Embankment.
Peter Cassidy, one of the organisers, said the campaign is focused on increasing statutory paternity leave from two weeks to six weeks at 90% of salary.
“Two weeks is not enough,” he said. “This is about putting pressure on the Government at exactly the right time, while they are reviewing parental leave policies. It’s a real opportunity to push for meaningful change.”
The campaign argues that the UK’s current system places an unequal burden on mothers and reinforces traditional gender roles.
According to organisers, mothers carry out around 60% more unpaid childcare and can lose an average of £65,000 within five years of having their first child. They also point to research suggesting that 88% of the gender pay gap is linked to the “motherhood penalty”.
Cassidy added that while six weeks would be a significant improvement, it may still fall short of what families truly need.
“Six weeks probably isn’t enough either,” he said. “But it would be so much better than what’s currently on offer. At the moment, the system just doesn’t reflect the realities of modern family life.”
Lucy Cassidy, co-founder of Nottingham Working Mums Network, said improving paternity leave is key to achieving greater equality in the workplace.
“This isn’t just about families at home, it’s about women’s careers too,” she said. “Better paternity leave could reduce the gender pay gap and create more balance. It’s a no-brainer.”
Organisers also highlight cultural barriers that prevent fathers from taking leave. Even in workplaces offering more generous packages, many dads take far less time than they are entitled to, often due to concerns about career impact. In some cases, 1 in 5 fathers take no paternity leave at all, largely for financial reasons.
While interest in the Nottingham event has been strong, Cassidy noted that much of the engagement so far has come from women. He hopes more men will attend and show visible support.
“We really need dads to stand up and be proud about being parents,” he said. “This is about showing that parenting should be shared.”
The Government’s parental leave review is expected to conclude in early 2027, which organisers say makes this a critical moment for action. They argue that extending paternity leave could not only improve family life but also deliver wider economic benefits, with some estimates suggesting a £2.6 billion boost to the economy.
In Nottingham, organisers are encouraging people of all backgrounds to attend, whether they are parents, carers, grandparents or supporters.
“Bring your prams, bring your people, bring your voice,” Lucy Cassidy said. “We’ll be there whatever the weather.”