Parents campaign for six weeks' paternity pay at 90% and flexible working
Campaigners demand better paternity leave and flexible rights after a report shows couples face an £8,000 deficit in a child's first year.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Parents across the UK are stepping up their campaign for better paternity leave and more flexible working rights, backed by new research showing the financial strain on families after a baby is born.
A report released today by the Fatherhood Institute found that the average couple's income drops by around 30 to 35% in the first year after having a child, while outgoings rise sharply. For a couple on the national living wage, that leaves a deficit of about £8,000.
Campaigners say the problem is not just money. Fathers want more time to support their partners' mental health and to bond with their children. Nathan Barnes, speaking at an event in Leeds, described how his wife needed an emergency caesarean after a three-day labour, and both she and their son developed an infection, leading to a two-week hospital stay. He said that with six weeks of paid leave, he could have been there for his partner and son. "I want to let dads be dads," he said.
Errol, another campaigner, set out the key demand: "We want six weeks paternity pay and 90% pay for dads." He warned that without this, families will struggle, especially as more mothers are having caesarean sections and need support at home.
The campaign is also calling for greater flexible working rights for women. Anna Whitehouse, from Mother Pukka, said friends are "dropping out of the workforce daily" because it costs them to go to work. She questioned an economy that "almost charging the women who are raising next generation to go and contribute to the economy".
The government says it has already supported 32,000 more partners to get paternity leave and pay, and is carrying out a full review of paternity rights. Campaigners say they will hold the government to that promise and want to see concrete results.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| A Fatherhood Institute report found that couples' income falls by 30-35% in the first year after having a child, leaving a £8,000 shortfall for those on the national living wage. | |
| Campaigners are calling for six weeks of paternity pay at 90% of earnings. | |
| The government says it has supported 32,000 more partners to get paternity leave and pay and is reviewing paternity rights. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV Lunchtime News focused on the human impact of inadequate paternity leave, using personal stories from fathers in Leeds to illustrate the financial and emotional strain. The report highlighted the Fatherhood Institute's findings and gave a clear platform to campaigners' demands, while also noting the government's response.
- “I want to let dads be dads. I want it to be there for my partner. I want to bond. Dads want to learn. Dads want to be present. Dads want to be dads.”
- “We want six weeks paternity pay and 90% pay for dads. And if you can't get that, if we don't get that, we're going to struggle because dads are always active, always busy.”
- “I have friends, honestly, who are dropping out of the workforce daily because it's costing us to walk out the door to work.”
Broadcast Timeline
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