Calls grow for paternity leave reform as Ipswich MP backs campaign for equal parenting
Jack Abbott warns the current system “makes it impossible” for parents to share childcare equally.
An Ipswich MP is backing calls to improve paternity leave, warning the current system “makes it impossible” for parents to share childcare equally.
Jack Abbott said the UK’s offer is among the weakest in Europe, with fathers entitled to just two weeks’ leave, often on low pay.
He said: “A lot of couples now really want to parent equally, but to be really blunt about it, our paternity leave doesn't allow for that at all. It makes it impossible.”
"We have the worst paternity leave in Europe"
Under current rules, statutory paternity leave is typically paid at less than half the minimum wage, with some self-employed parents receiving no support at all.
Mr Abbott added: “At the heart of it, it is because we have the worst paternity leave in Europe. It's two weeks on less than half the minimum wage or indeed nothing if you're self-employed as well.”
He said the impact goes beyond parents, affecting children and wider family life.
“The system stacks against any family, any parents who do want to parent equally and obviously the knock on effect of that, not just for you as your dad or indeed a mum who might need a bit of support as well… but the kid and the baby, you know, it's really, really difficult,” he said.
“We're not supporting families in any meaningful way.”
The imapacts
The Labour MP said some businesses are already offering enhanced packages, showing reform is possible without waiting for national legislation.
"There are already some companies doing this. We know it works,” he said.
He added that employers who offer better support often see benefits in staff retention and wellbeing.
“I'd encourage companies and businesses and organisations in Ipswich and Suffolk to look at what other companies are already doing when it comes to things like paternity and maternity leave and pay is another really important aspect of this.”
While national changes may come through future legislation, Mr Abbott urged businesses to act now.
“We don't need to wait for that either… we see businesses already doing that and I would just really issue a bit of a plea to other businesses who are looking at how they can kind of really support their staff.”
He said improving paternity leave would help drive wider equality and better outcomes for families.
The government has previously set out plans to strengthen workers’ rights, including changes to parental leave, though no immediate overhaul of paternity leave policy has been announced.