The UK has the worst statutory paternity leave in Europe, and it’s putting parents off having more children, a survey shared with ITV News has found.
British fathers are entitled to just two weeks off work after their child is born and are paid a maximum of £187.18 a week – less than minimum wage.
It’s the least generous scheme in Europe, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and one of the worst of the world’s richest countries.
George Gabriel, co-founder of the Dad Shift campaign group, said: "The European average is dads and non-birthing parents get eight weeks at 100% of earnings. We think in the UK – you know, obviously it’s a challenging moment for the country – but six weeks at 90% of earnings would be a real start."
A survey commissioned by The Dad Shift and the Movember charity and shared exclusively with ITV News found that 57% of dads are reluctant to have more children because of the financial difficulties they faced after first becoming a parent.
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