POLICY & ADVOCACY
Movember supports collective call for a stronger and more inclusive parental leave system
Fathers and families across the UK deserve a parental leave system that works for them.
The UK has one of the least generous parental leave systems in Europe. For too long, parents and their families have been let down by an outdated system. This is why Movember is proud to support a collective call for a stronger and more inclusive parental leave system as part of the UK Government’s Parental Leave Review.
The Review, which launched last summer, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform parental leave so that it works for all families - supporting gender equality, improving the health and wellbeing of parents and children, and ensuring that having a baby or taking on caring responsibilities does not push families into financial insecurity.
A fair system must reflect the diversity of modern families, including single parents, Black and Brown parents, kinship carers, adoptive parents, parents of disabled children, and parents facing serious illness. No family should be excluded from adequate leave or pay because of their circumstances or employment status.
More time with family — what a fairer, better-paid parental leave system could mean for dads across the UK.
Movember is working with The Fawcett Society to lead a collective action encompassing organisations, academics and experts across the women's, men's and family sectors, calling on the Government to commit to the following key changes. We have also written directly to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reinforce this call.
STRENGTHEN LEAVE AND PAY FOR FATHERS AND SECOND PARENTS
Introduce six weeks of non-transferable statutory paternity leave, paid at 90% of average weekly earnings.
STRENGTHEN MATERNITY AND ADOPTION LEAVE AND PAY
Extend statutory maternity and adoption pay from 6 to 12 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings, and increase statutory pay for weeks 13–39 to the National Living Wage or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
END THE DISADVANTAGE FACED BY SELF-EMPLOYED PARENTS
Bring parental pay for self-employed and other workers into line with what employed parents receive. This should be treated as unearned income for the purposes of Universal Credit.
MAKE PARENTAL LEAVE A GENUINE DAY-ONE RIGHT
Ensure all parental leave and pay entitlements are available from day one, regardless of earning level or employment status.
Movember is campaigning for a parental leave system that supports every kind of family.
This call for action builds on Movember's ongoing partnership with The Dad Shift, campaigning together for fairer, better-paid paternity leave for fathers and second parents.
Add your voice and sign the petition Read more about the case for change in our report, Extra Time with Dad: Improving Men's Health Through UK Paternity Leave
We recognise that budgetary constraints may mean these reforms cannot all be delivered at once. But financial pressures should not mean lowering our ambition when an opportunity like this for families is unlikely to come along again in our lifetime. Once the Parental Leave Review concludes, we are asking the Government to make a clear political commitment to all changes now, even if their implementation needs to be phased over time.
