Retailers Offer Six Weeks' Paternity Pay as Sector Gap Widens
M&S, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Lidl offer up to six weeks' full-pay paternity leave for nearly 650,000 workers, while JCB and Rolls-Royce stay at two weeks.
The story in focus
The Guardian reports that M&S, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Lidl have enhanced paid paternity leave to as much as six weeks at full pay, covering nearly 650,000 workers. The research, compiled by The Dad Shift and Inspiring Dads, shows a widening gap with manufacturing, construction and agriculture, where JCB and Rolls-Royce still offer two weeks.
- M&S and Tesco offer six weeks at full pay, above the statutory two-week minimum
- Five retailers account for upgraded parental leave for nearly 650,000 workers
- JCB and Rolls-Royce offer two weeks' full pay; construction employs about one in 10 working men
- Over 100 Labour MPs want six weeks at 90% of earnings, capped at £1,200 a week
Retail upgrades outpace industry
Marks & Spencer and Tesco are among retailers offering six weeks of paternity leave at full pay, according to figures compiled by campaign group The Dad Shift and Ian Dinwiddy of Inspiring Dads. M&S increased its offer from two weeks in 2024. Privately owned Ikea, Lego and Virgin Media O2 also offer more fully paid weeks to new fathers.
The Guardian reports that enhanced leave at Asda, Waitrose and Lidl means five employers have upgraded parental leave for nearly 650,000 workers. The statutory entitlement remains two weeks, paid at £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
Manufacturing and construction lag
The research points to a sector divide. JCB offers two weeks at full pay, increased from three days, while Rolls-Royce, whose workforce is more than 80% male, also offers two weeks. Construction employs around one in 10 working men but accounts for about one in 15 recipients of statutory paternity pay, partly because self-employed workers have no entitlement.
Campaigners rank the UK 40th of 43 OECD countries for paternity leave generosity. An 18-month government review of parental leave is expected to report later this year.
MPs press for budget commitment
More than 100 Labour MPs have urged Andy Burnham to commit to improving paternity leave in the upcoming budget, calling for six weeks at 90% of earnings, capped at £1,200 a week, extended to self-employed fathers. Retail businesses and the Usdaw union held a parliamentary roundtable hosted by Labour MP Connor Rand.
What statutory paternity pay do employed fathers in the UK receive?
Employed fathers are entitled to two weeks of statutory paternity leave paid at £194.32 a week, or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. That totals less than half the national living wage, The Guardian reports.
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