Edinburgh MP Scott Arthur writes to Chancellor John Healey backing call for increased paternity leave
‘Two weeks’ paternity leave simply isn’t enough’ - Scott Arthur MP
City Labour MP Scott Arthur is urging Chancellor John Healey to increase paternity leave in a move he claims could be "transformative" for new families.
He has written to Mr Healey ahead of his first budget, stating his support for the call by campaign group The Dad's Shift for fathers and non-birthing parents to be given six weeks of paternity leave at 90 per cent pay.
Dr Arthur, who is MP for Edinburgh South West, said the change, which modelling suggests would generate £1.5 million in paternity pay for local families, would make a huge difference to young families.
He said: “Having a baby should be an exciting time for a family, not a financial cliff edge. The UK currently has the worst paternity offer in Europe. Two weeks isn’t simply enough, and it is time we do more to ensure babies and their parents have the best start in life."
The Dad's Shift says its proposed changes are currently under consideration by the UK Government as it carries out its parental leave and pay review. The review is assessing how different forms of parental leave can support maternal health, boost economic participation, offer flexible childcare, and give children the best start in life. It is expected to complete in early 2027.
The modelling by The Dad's Shift claims the changes it proposes could mean that for 800 babies born in Edinburgh South West each year, 710 fathers or non-birthing parents would be eligible for leave, 190 more than today. The change would also see 90 local self-employed fathers to become eligible for paternity leave for the first time each year.
Better leave could also help mothers who want to stay in work or maintain their hours, keeping skills and experience in the workforce. The Dad Shift’s modelling suggests that this would generate an economic benefit of £3.3 million in Edinburgh South West alone.
And Dr Arthur said that an extension of paternity leave and pay would also bring positive impacts for local mothers’ physical and mental health. It would allow more mothers healing from caesareans and assisted births or dealing with post-natal depression to have a partner at home for longer, relieving their caring burdens and providing support.
He said: “The figures from the Dad Shift show just how transformative these reforms could be for families. I hope that with the government’s review of parental leave true progress can be made.”
Dr Arthur said he had been working at Heriot-Watt when his children were born. For his first child, Ruth, he got three days’ paternity leave at the discretion of his boss. By the time his second child, Ben, was born nearly five years later in 2003, he said he was entitled to two weeks paid leave, thanks to the changes made by the Labour government at the time.
George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, said: “The UK has the worst paternity leave in Europe. It’s setting up working dads to fail and its not good enough.
“We’re delighted Dr Arthur is championing reform. The government’s review is a chance to make sure that time with your newborn doesn’t become something only the wealthy can afford.”
Lisa Holder, director of Edinburgh South West-based Dads Rock, said: “Our core message is that children thrive when dads thrive, and a massive part of that is giving families a fair start.
“The current statutory two weeks of paternity leave is a barrier to bonding, a strain on maternal mental health, and completely out of touch with what modern families need. The dads we support want to rock their babies to sleep, share the load at home, and support their partners.”