Hundreds of fathers protested in London and Edinburgh, calling for longer, better-paid paternity leave to promote equal parenting and close the gender pay gap, challenging the UK’s currently minimal two-week entitlement.
Hundreds of fathers took to the streets of London and Edinburgh on a recent Wednesday, marking what has been described as the world’s first dad strike, aimed at demanding better paternity leave in the UK. The demonstrators, many of whom brought their babies in pushchairs and papooses, carried placards adorned with pithy slogans and dad jokes that called attention to one of the most meagre paternity leave policies in Europe. Signs proclaiming “The worst dad joke: two weeks paternity leave!” were a common sight as the fathers rallied outside the Department for Business and Trade.
As they adapted nursery rhymes to express their discontent, one creative chant went: “Twinkle, twinkle, little babe, Daddy’s leave is not well paid.” A poignant display featured a washing line strung with colourful baby clothes, spelling out the message that two weeks simply isn’t enough. According to George Gabriel, a spokesperson for the Dad Shift, the campaign behind the protest, the movement draws inspiration from the historic women’s strike in Iceland during the 1970s that profoundly influenced gender equality in workplace legislation. He stated, “We’re not asking for time off; we’re asking for time on,” emphasising the importance of fathers being present during the early stages of their children’s lives.
Despite the clear demand for reform, scepticism remains about the efficacy of a dad strike, particularly among those who question public funding for fathers. Gabriel countered this by citing recent polling that suggests 90% of fathers aspire to take a more active role in their children’s upbringing. Further supporting this position, Duncan Dragonetti, a participant from Wiltshire, shared his experiences of parental leave, having taken four months off to spend time with his daughter. He pointed to Sweden’s more inclusive paternity system, where shared leave is significantly more generous, serving as a clear example of how such policies can promote equality in the workforce.
At the heart of the protest was not just a call for better leave but a broader discussion about the gender pay gap. Advocates argue that improved paternity leave can help level the playing field for mothers returning to work, allowing for a more equitable sharing of childcare responsibilities. Research conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed that extending leave to six weeks at 90% of earnings could potentially generate a £2.68 billion economic boost annually, making a compelling case for reform beyond just family welfare.
Among the participants was Richard Odufisan, who highlighted the inadequacy of the current statutory pay for paternity leave, which amounts to less than 50% of the national living wage. He argued that raising this figure could incentivise fathers, particularly those on lower incomes, to take much-needed leave, further promoting active parenting. Sophia Barnett, attending with her nine-month-old daughter, echoed similar sentiments, illustrating the disruptive impact of having only two weeks of leave during such a crucial time for family bonding.
Calls for paternity leave reform are not limited to grassroots movements. UK MPs are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to consider legislative changes to the current policy, which they describe as outdated and disproportionately low compared to other European nations. Advocates contend that contemporary parental leave policy must reflect modern family dynamics, integrating support for fathers as a critical element in fostering gender equality in both home and workplace settings.
As noted by various research findings, the UK’s two-week paternity leave policy, among the least generous in Europe, falls significantly short when compared to other nations like Sweden and Iceland, where parental leave policies are structured to ensure equitable sharing of responsibilities. Such disparities underscore the urgent need for reform, not only to support families better but also to create a more equitable economic landscape.
The protest represents a watershed moment in the ongoing discussion around parental leave in the UK. As fathers actively voice their desire for greater involvement in their children’s lives, the possibility of a shift in policies becomes increasingly tangible, setting a precedent for how society values the role of fathers within family dynamics.
Reference Map:
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- Paragraph 2 – [1], [2], [5]
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- Paragraph 4 – [2], [4], [6]
- Paragraph 5 – [1], [5], [7]
- Paragraph 6 – [2], [6], [7]
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/11/dad-strikes-in-london-and-edinburgh-demand-better-paternity-leave – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ft.com/content/5c4a863c-a326-4232-96c3-da3c28db3508 – UK MPs are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reform the current paternity leave policy by extending statutory leave for fathers. Presently, new fathers in the UK are entitled to only two weeks of paternity leave at a relatively low pay rate, making it one of the least generous systems in Europe. Advocates, including Labour MP Alistair Strathern and Liberal Democrat MP Freddie van Mierlo, argue that increasing paternity leave would promote gender equality, support women’s return to the workforce, and provide economic benefits. Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Centre for Progressive Policy suggests that extending leave to six weeks at 90% of earnings could generate a £2.68 billion economic boost annually, offsetting increased government costs with higher tax revenues from returning mothers. Calls also include introducing a paternity allowance for self-employed fathers, currently excluded from such benefits. The UK government has committed to reviewing parental leave policies to better support families and enhance economic growth. MPs and campaigners alike contend that a more generous and inclusive paternity policy is crucial for modernizing the UK’s approach to family and employment.
- https://www.ft.com/content/2f469825-5d9d-47be-94d9-2483464a0f55 – Parental leave policies have markedly evolved, offering job protection, extended maternity leave, and other benefits aimed at promoting gender equality and boosting birth rates. However, there may be unintended consequences to these seemingly progressive measures. While initial parental leave can enhance health and family involvement, excessively long maternity leave can hinder mothers’ return to work, affect their employment and wages, and reduce their chances of promotion. Similarly, extended paternity leave can lead to penalties in male-dominated sectors, lower men’s earnings, and in some cases, increase financial stress on relationships, even raising divorce rates. Studies from various countries, including Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and Belgium, illustrate these mixed outcomes. Despite these complexities, overly minimalistic national policies, like those seen in the U.S. and the U.K., are inadequate and do not justify rolling back supportive measures for new parents. As the author embarks on her own maternity leave, she reflects on these nuanced impacts and emphasizes the importance of balanced parental leave policies.
- https://time.com/4553023/keira-knightley-paternity-leave/ – British actress Keira Knightley, featured on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar UK’s December issue, received the Theatre Icon Award during the magazine’s Women of the Year Awards. In her interview, Knightley highlighted the challenges surrounding parental leave and childcare, emphasizing the disparity between maternity and paternity leave. She expressed her gratitude for being able to afford good childcare, noting that without it, she would have had to take a significant career break. Knightley criticized the existing system for offering limited paternity leave, arguing for equal leave for both parents to ensure a cohesive family unit and reduce the career impact on women. Knightley’s stance is supported by statistics mentioned by Catfish star Nev Schulman and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, who advocate for better parental leave policies to improve outcomes for families and children.
- https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jan/29/paternity-leave-us-policy – An article from The Guardian discusses the paternity leave policies in various countries, highlighting the disparities between them. It notes that the UK offers only two weeks of paternity leave, which is among the shortest in Europe. In contrast, countries like Sweden and Iceland provide significantly longer and more generous paternity leave. The article also mentions that the US is the only country listed that offers no paid paternity leave, ranking it the worst for paternity leave among the world’s richest countries.
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/09/14/uk-paternity-leave-least-generous-europe-finds-international/ – An international study has found that paternity leave in the UK is the least generous in Europe, with policies described as ‘implicitly matriarchal’. The study of 47 nations’ policies branded the UK the ‘laggard’ in Europe with a leave policy that eschewed gender equality for the idea that women should be the main carers of young children. This approach stems from the UK government’s decision to put maternity leave of 52 weeks at the heart of its parental leave policies, which is the longest maternity leave of any of the 47 nations but also the worst paid, with 46 of the 52 weeks at a low flat rate of £151.97, or unpaid for the last 13 weeks. By contrast, European countries tend to give new mothers between three and four months of leave at full pay or high earnings related level of 80 to 90 per cent of the woman’s salary. The researchers said the UK had ‘shared parental leave’ but it was not a ‘right’ for the father of the child as it was up to the woman whether to transfer the leave to their partners. Few fathers took up the maternity leave because of the low flat rate pay if they did opt for it.
- https://www.theparentingdaily.co.uk/article/2023/10/02/state-parental-leave-what-uk-other-countries-offer – An article from The Parenting Daily discusses the state of parental leave in the UK and compares it with other countries. It highlights that out of the 43 countries analysed, the UK came in 24th, with its average paternity leave length of 2 weeks, and most UK companies offering just an 18.5% overall average payment rate. This is a sharp contrast to the number one country, Spain, which offers dads an average of 16 weeks of paid paternity leave at 100% of their salary. The article also mentions that Spain’s paternity leave benefits dwarf that of every other country, with the Netherlands, which came in second place, only offering an average of 6 weeks paid leave, less than half that of Spain, and at 79.9% the average salary, though this is still far ahead of what is offered to UK fathers.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is current, reporting on events that took place on 11 June 2025, with no evidence of prior publication or recycled content. The Dad Shift campaign, which organised the protest, has been actively promoting the event since at least May 2025. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/may/01/british-men-urged-to-join-dad-strike-calling-for-more-paternity-leave?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes attributed to George Gabriel and other participants appear to be original, with no prior instances found online. The specific chants and slogans mentioned are unique to this event.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable UK news organisation known for its journalistic standards. The Dad Shift campaign is a verified group advocating for better paternity leave in the UK. ([dadshift.org.uk](https://dadshift.org.uk/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the UK’s paternity leave being among the least generous in Europe are consistent with previous reports. The narrative includes specific details about the protest, such as adapted nursery rhymes and placards, which align with the event’s reported activities. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/may/01/british-men-urged-to-join-dad-strike-calling-for-more-paternity-leave?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from a reputable organisation. The claims are plausible and supported by consistent information from multiple sources. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/may/01/british-men-urged-to-join-dad-strike-calling-for-more-paternity-leave?utm_source=openai))
