Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
6th Report - Equality at work: Paternity and shared parental leave
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 502
Published 10 June 2025
Recommendations
11
Accepted
Reduce cultural and societal barriers preventing fathers, especially working-class, from taking parental leave.
Recommendation
Alongside reforms of statutory paternity pay and leave entitlements, the Government’s review must consider steps it can take to reduce wider cultural and societal barriers to fathers taking more leave. It should in particularly consider steps to reduce cultural barriers …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it will engage with stakeholders through its parental leave and pay review, conduct focus groups and roundtables, and collaborate with trade unions and businesses. It also plans to require employers to publish action plans promoting parental leave policies, provide clear guidance, and develop case studies to reduce barriers for fathers taking more leave.
Government Equalities Office
View Details →
Conclusions (1)
10
Conclusion
Accepted
The design and staffing of services for new parents caring for babies is highly gendered and can exclude or marginalise men, compounding cultural barriers to them taking a greater role in caring for their children. (Conclusion, Paragraph 69)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the important role of fathers and partners, referencing existing initiatives like the Family Hubs programme and "A Better Start" campaign that support families. It notes that while some related policy areas are outside the scope of the parental leave review, it will consider their interactions with possible reforms.