Currently, new Fathers have an entitlement of two weeks paternity leave subject to working for their employer for 26 weeks.
Labour Party statisticians have reported that at least 55% of new Fathers do not complete the entirety of their entitlement because of the subsequent earnings shortfall which draws them back to work early.
Ed Miliband announced in February that the Labour Party would increase weekly payments from £120 to £260 per week (equivalent to a 40 hour week on minimum wage). They would also increase the length of Paternity leave from two weeks to four weeks.
The proposals have seen mixed feedback from opposition parties and finance experts. There are claims that longer paternity will reduce productivity, growth and ultimately the profits of smaller businesses in particular.
