A Newcastle father-to-be has joined a nationwide campaign advocating for expanded paternity leave in the United Kingdom, highlighting the need for new fathers to have more time with their newborns during the early weeks after birth.
Under current UK law, fathers, partners of mothers, child adopters, and intended parents through surrogacy are entitled to up to two weeks of paternity leave. However, campaign group The Dad Shift has criticized this provision as inadequate and is calling on the government to extend paternity leave to at least six weeks at 90% pay. The group points out that this change would align the UK more closely with the European average, where fathers typically receive eight weeks of fully paid paternity leave.
To raise awareness, The Dad Shift organized a campaign coinciding with the FIFA World Cup, displaying posters in nearly 300 football stadiums across the country, including Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Mark Ferries, a local father-to-be and supporter of the campaign, emphasized the financial barriers many fathers face. "Too many dads are opting not to take time off as they can’t afford it on the current rates of paternity leave," Ferries said, noting that self-employed fathers currently receive no statutory paternity leave.
Polling conducted by More In Common in partnership with the men’s health charity Movember and The Dad Shift found that 92% of UK adults believe it is important for fathers to spend time with their babies in the early months. However, half of those surveyed reported that financial pressures prevent men from taking additional leave. Another survey by the same organizations identified improved paternity leave as the most significant factor influencing new fathers' mental health, cited by 82% of respondents.
Alex Lloyd Hunter, a spokesperson for The Dad Shift, likened fatherhood to a team sport, stating, “This generation of dads wants to play the full 90 minutes, but we’re being benched almost immediately after kick off.” He urged the government to expand leave provisions to support fathers’ involvement in early childcare.
In response, Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden acknowledged the social progress reflected in increased paternal engagement. Dearden noted government efforts to broaden access to paternity leave, including recent legal changes benefiting 32,000 additional partners. She confirmed that a comprehensive review of parental pay and leave is underway to ensure the law better reflects contemporary family needs and supports parents in spending meaningful time caring for their children.
The campaign highlights an ongoing debate about parental rights and gender roles in caregiving, with advocates pressing for policies that support both the financial and emotional well-being of new parents.