Retail leads the way on paternity leave as government urged to improve offer
M&S and Tesco are among employers offering six weeks, highlighting gap with construction and agriculture “Being able to take six weeks’ paid paternity leave, flexibly, made a huge
By The Guardian
Marks & Spencer and Tesco are among major UK retailers offering six weeks of fully paid paternity leave, prompting calls for the government to improve the statutory offer for new fathers.
Marks & Spencer increased its paternity leave provision from two weeks to six weeks at full pay in 2024.
Employee Joe Erskine said the policy allowed him to support his partner and spend time settling into life as a new parent after the birth of his second child 17 months ago.
“Being able to take six weeks’ paid paternity leave, flexibly, made a huge difference to me and my family,” he said.
Tesco also offers six weeks at full pay. Other employers, including Asda, Waitrose and Lidl, have introduced enhanced arrangements, while companies such as Ikea, Lego and Virgin Media O2 also provide more generous leave than the statutory minimum.
The statutory entitlement for employed fathers is two weeks’ paternity leave. Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Campaign group The Dad Shift and Inspiring Dads compiled figures comparing paternity leave policies across major employers. Their research highlights a gap between the benefits available in parts of the retail sector and those offered in industries including construction, manufacturing and agriculture.
Self-employed fathers, including many workers in construction and agriculture, do not currently qualify for statutory paid paternity leave.
More than 100 Labour MPs have called for changes to the system. They are seeking six weeks of paternity leave paid at 90% of earnings, capped at £1,200 a week, with the scheme extended to self-employed fathers.
An 18-month government review of the UK’s parental leave system is expected to report later this year.