70% OF DADS WHO DIDN’T TAKE THEIR FULL PATERNITY LEAVE ENTITLEMENT HAD TO CUT IT SHORT DUE TO COST - Pregnant Then Screwed

Financial constraints and access to enhanced pay is also impacting the take-up of SPL, with one in four mothers and one in three fathers stating that negative financial impact was the main reason for not taking such leave. Currently, parents taking advantage of SPL are entitled to £172.48 per week and if both parents decide to take SPL leave, this ... See more

“The strict eligibility criteria do not help either. Both parents must be continuously employed by their employer for 41 weeks before their child’s birth. There is also an income threshold. Combined, these two factors shut a lot of families out.”

“Even if you are eligible and meet all the criteria, SPL can be hard to organise and arrange. It require... See more

I would have loved to take more than two weeks off with my kids, but the reality is we just couldn’t afford it. As the main breadwinner, cutting my income down to statutory pay after two weeks would have meant struggling to pay the mortgage. Shared Parental Leave only works if both parents’ employers offer generous pay, which isn’t the case for mos... See more

The length of maternity leave available to employees is up to 52 weeks, including two weeks of compulsory maternity leave for mothers. This extended period provides new mothers with the time needed to physically and emotionally recover from childbirth and bond with their newborn. Fathers or partners can also take up to 26 weeks of leave if the moth... See more