Petition · past parliament

Give new fathers a right to six weeks paid paternity leave

Closed 667 signatures

What the petition asks

Dads are only entitled 2 weeks paternity leave, at reduced pay. Dads are just as important as mums when it comes to bonding with a baby. 2 weeks leave is not enough and reduced pay is terrible for supporting a new family.
Dads should have 6 weeks off work with full pay so they’ve got time to bond with their baby and help the mum, especially in cases where she has a cesarian section.

In the first 2 weeks, it can mainly be visits with the midwife for baby checks and mum checks, and visits from family. Dads need time to bond too.

Timeline

3 Jul 2020 Petition opened for signatures
3 Jan 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 667
Status Closed
Opened 3 Jul 2020
Closed 3 Jan 2021

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.