A damning new report from the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) reveals the UK’s paternity leave policy as one of the least generous amongst developed nations. The report, published on Tuesday, highlights the stark reality: a mere two weeks of leave for fathers, a figure the committee describes as drastically out of sync with modern parenting expectations.

This paltry allowance, the WEC argues, actively perpetuates outdated gender roles and fails to reflect how many couples wish to share parental responsibilities. Furthermore, the report criticizes the UK’s statutory paternal pay as wholly inadequate, failing to keep pace with the rising cost of living. The current rate, the committee concludes, is simply insufficient.

Labour MP and WEC Chairwoman Sarah Owen stated bluntly, “The UK’s parental leave system has lagged significantly behind comparable countries, resulting in one of the worst statutory leave offers for fathers and other parents globally.”

This report shines a harsh light on the UK’s outdated family-friendly policies, raising serious questions about its commitment to gender equality and supporting families in the 21st century. The inadequate leave and pay provisions directly impact the financial stability and well-being of new parents and the overall balance of parental responsibilities within families.