Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, has joined the campaign for fathers to be given “Extra Time” with their families, backing a campaign from Movember and The Dad Shift to improve paternity leave in the UK.
Ahead of England’s opening World Cup match and in the week of Father’s Day, MPs are donning World Cup shirts provided by The Dad Shift emblazoned with the campaign call.
The shirts have been customised so on the back, instead of a player’s name, the MP’s role as a caregiver is highlighted, whether that be as a Mum, Dad, Uncle, Aunt, Nana, Mate or Friends. Beneath the shirt number 2 campaigners add “WEEKS ISN’T ENOUGH” referring to the two weeks on less than half the minimum wage currently offered to British dads – the least generous offer in Europe.
Photos attached show Amanda Martin MP wearing the shirt out and about and are released as new research from Movember and The Dad Shift found that:
- 45% of UK fathers experience symptoms of depression or anxiety during their baby’s first year and nearly 1 in 15 new dads experience suicidal thoughts
- 82% of fathers say better paternity leave is the single biggest thing government could do to support their mental health
- 92% of the public say enabling dads to spend time with their babies is important or very important and 60% back increasing paternity leave and pay
As MPs take the campaign to their constituencies, campaigners have been keen to remind people that over half the paternity leave currently claimed in the UK goes to higher earners, because the low pay makes even 2 weeks unaffordable to most working blokes. The government meanwhile is currently running a review of Parental Leave due to conclude this December with an announcement expected in January.
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North and Co-chair of the Labour Men and Boys Group said: “Fatherhood matters – to children, to mothers and to dads themselves. As England prepares to step onto the pitch, this campaign is a reminder that dads shouldn’t only be brought on for injury time at home. I support giving fathers more meaningful time with their families in those crucial early weeks and months.
Local Cosham dad Sean added: “We’re excited about the government’s review of parental leave and expect real action to support working dads across the country coming out the other side of it. The Westminster bubble might have other obsessions, but around here it’s clear – folk are focused on the cost of living, family, and football.”
The Dad Shift co-founder George Gabriel said: “Just 3% of parental leave currently goes to dads. It’s like forcing mums to play the full 90 minutes and then sending on fathers for injury time. That’s not good for anyone and it’s exciting that there’s finally some real moment to change it. Two weeks isn’t enough time to bond with a new baby, support a partner, or find your feet as a parent. The shirts make the point simply: dads need extra time.”
MPs have donned their shirts, provided by The Dad Shift, in support of Movember’s Extra Time With Dad landing in Men’s Health Week and follows a celebrity-led launch event in Westminster featuring fathers, campaigners, sports personalities and MPs calling for change.
