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Paternity Leave

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 26 November 2025UIN 92434

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to review the (a) length of statutory paternity leave and (b) level of pay provided during this period.

Answered by Kate Dearden

On 1 July we launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review, which is considering all existing and upcoming parental leave entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay. When considering calls to increase entitlements for parents, the Government will balance the needs of families, the impact on employers, and affordability for taxpayers.

We recognise that more can be done to support working families now. That is why, through the Employment Rights Bill, we are making Paternity Leave a ‘day one’ right, which will bring an extra 32,000 fathers and partners into scope of the entitlement.

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