UK’s shared parental leave branded ‘broken and elitist’ as top earners benefit most
Shared parental leave is failing UK families, with the majority of claims made by top earners, campaigners argue.
Shared parental leave, introduced to help parents balance family life and careers, is being called “broken” and “elitist” by campaigners as data reveals it primarily benefits the UK’s wealthiest families.
In the 2023–24 tax year, only 10,600 new fathers opted for shared parental leave, compared with 623,100 women who took paid maternity leave, according to data obtained by The Dad Shift via freedom of information (FOI) requests.
The policy allows parents to divide up to 37 weeks of paid leave and 50 weeks of leave between them. However, critics argue its poor uptake reflects deep flaws in the system.
The Dad Shift’s research highlights stark inequalities in how shared parental leave is used. Sixty per cent of claims come from the top 20% of earners, while the bottom half of earners account for just 5% of claims. Co-founder Alex Lloyd Hunter described the system as "not just broken but elitist too."
British dads want and deserve a meaningful chunk of properly paid time off so they can bond with their babies, be there for their partners, and get started on being decent fathers.
Currently, fathers receive a statutory payment of just £184.30 per week, making shared parental leave financially unviable for many families.
Campaigners and MPs are urging reform to make parental leave more accessible and equitable. Labour MP Kirith Entwistle shared her experience of the importance of having her husband at home when their child was born.
There are so many mothers out there right now who desperately need that support, and dads who have no choice but to go back to work. Shared parental leave is a farce and only an option for those who can afford it.
Labour has proposed making paternity leave and unpaid parental leave a “day one” entitlement for all employees, removing the current requirement of six months’ employment.
A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade has said: “We will also carry out a review of wider statutory parental leave to ensure it offers the best possible support to working families and boost economic growth.”
Data also revealed significant regional disparities in government spending on shared parental leave payments. In London, £40.8 million was spent on the scheme since its rollout in 2014—more than the total spent in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and several regions of England combined.
This disparity further underscores the scheme’s failure to serve lower-income families, who are disproportionately represented in areas outside the capital.
Campaigners argue that the UK lags behind other European countries in offering equitable parental leave. Alex Lloyd Hunter described the UK’s statutory paternity leave as “the worst in Europe,” adding, “Just two weeks on less than half the minimum wage.”
Shared parental leave was intended to address this gap but has fallen short due to its complexity and inadequate financial support.
With growing pressure from campaigners and Labour MPs, change could be on the horizon. Thirty MPs recently signed a letter urging the Prime Minister to introduce reforms, including longer paid leave for fathers and more flexible parental leave options.
However, without substantial financial backing and simplification of the process, shared parental leave may remain an unattainable option for many families.
As Alex Lloyd Hunter concludes: “British families and fathers deserve better.”
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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