Give self-employed fathers paternity allowance & increase leave to 4 weeks

Closed 96 signatures

What the petition asks

The Government should introduce statutory paternity allowance for self-employed fathers, similar to maternity allowance, and increase statutory paternity leave to at least 4 weeks. This could support families, promote early bonding, and improve parental equality.

Self-employed fathers get no statutory paternity leave or pay, and employed fathers get only 1–2 weeks, which we believe is not enough to support recovery from childbirth, including C-sections that can take 6–8 weeks to heal. Early parenthood can affect mental health, and many families need both parents present. Self-employed fathers pay tax like employees yet receive no statutory paternity support. We ask for a self-employed Paternity Allowance and at least 4 weeks paternity leave for all fathers.

Timeline

16 Dec 2025	Petition opened for signatures
16 Jun 2026	Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 96

Status Closed

Department Department for Business and Trade

Opened 16 Dec 2025

Closed 16 Jun 2026

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