UK Paternity Leave Strikes: London & Edinburgh Demands
Fathers in London and Edinburgh took to the streets in a “dad strike” demanding changes to the UK’s current paternity leave policies. Protesters, backed by the group Dad Shift, are calling for a minimum of six weeks of paternity leave at full pay, advocating for gender equality and a fairer distribution of childcare duties. The movement highlights the UK’s position as having some of the least generous parental leave offerings in Europe,a system campaigners believe contributes to the gender pay gap and disrupts families. Richard Odufisan, a construction worker, emphasized the need for increased pay, and Sophie Barnett detailed the difficulties of a mere two weeks of leave. They are pushing for a transformation in the approach to family responsibilities.For more, visit News Directory 3. Discover what’s next for this growing movement.
Fathers in London and Edinburgh Strike for Paternity Leave Reform
Updated June 11, 2025
Hundreds of fathers, babies in tow, rallied in London and Edinburgh Wednesday, demanding improved paternity leave policies. The “dad strike,” organized by Dad Shift,aimed to highlight the U.K.’s paternity leave system, considered among the least generous in Europe.
Protesters, equipped with signs and humor, gathered outside the department for Business and Trade.They chanted reworked nursery rhymes and displayed baby clothes on a washing line, spelling out ”two weeks is not enough,” to emphasize their demand for better paternity leave.
George gabriel, from Dad Shift, cited iceland’s women’s strike in the 1970s as inspiration. He emphasized the need for “time on” with families, not just “time off” from work. Gabriel stated the group seeks a minimum of six weeks of paternity leave at regular pay, a recommendation previously made by the Women and Equalities Committee.
Campaigners argue that improved paternity leave would help reduce the gender pay gap by enabling families to share childcare responsibilities more equitably.this, in turn, could reduce career breaks for new mothers.
Gabriel, an IT consultant currently on paternity leave, referenced a study linking affectionate father-son relationships to reduced domestic violence. He stressed the importance of fathers being active and healthy role models.
Duncan Dragonetti, who attended the rally, shared his positive experience of spending four months with his daughter. He highlighted Sweden’s parental leave system as a model, where both parents share 480 days of leave, promoting workforce equality.
Richard odufisan,a construction worker,emphasized that the current paternity leave rate is insufficient,falling below 50% of the national living wage. He believes increasing the rate would incentivize more fathers, especially those with lower incomes, to take parental leave.
Sophie Barnett, a new mother, participated in the protest with her husband, James, who only received two weeks of paternity leave.She described the disruption caused by the team being “torn apart” at a crucial time for the baby.
“The worst dad joke: two weeks paternity leave!”
“At the very least we want to see six weeks of paternity leave at regular pay… The UK paternity leave is lowest in Europe, and 40th out of 43 developed countries.”
George Gabriel, Dad Shift
“Most modern fathers are looking to be closer to their children and want to spend their time with them.”
Duncan Dragonetti
“You have to parent as a team, but after two weeks that team gets torn apart at a really crucial time for the baby… James had go back to work running on empty. It was really disruptive for the whole household.”
Sophie Barnett
What’s next
The Dad Shift campaign plans to continue advocating for enhanced paternity leave policies, aiming to influence government decisions and promote a more equitable distribution of childcare responsibilities within families.