Following a motion passed in full council yesterday, Islington council has committed to campaigning for extending paternity leave both within Islington council and nationally.
Islington Labour understands that better paternity leave has a massive positive impact for families. Research has shown that enabling both parents to take leave together reduces postnatal depression by 26% and that children with more involved fathers have improved outcomes across education, cognitive development, and emotional wellbeing.
Furthermore, the current rate of statutory pay in the UK is some of the weakest in Europe: two weeks at a flat statutory rate which is often not financially viable for many households. This is compounded by the “motherhood penalty” which accounts for around 75% of the gender wage gap. Better Paternity leave encourages fathers to take a more equal share of childcare from the start, helping to break down these structural inequalities.
This is why Islington Labour have worked closely with Dad Shift, a grassroots campaign aimed at increasing paternity leave across the UK, to bring a motion to council calling for an increase in paternity leave for council employees. We have also committed to joining the nationwide campaign, encouraging our colleagues far and wide to take up the fight to introduce a minimum of six weeks’ fully paid paternity leave nationally.
In support of the motion, Islington Labour was joined before the council meeting by members of Dad Shift and local parents who had been campaigning for this motion to go to Islington council.
Council Leader Una O’Halloran says: “I am so proud to have passed this motion in Islington. Full paternity leave is absolutely vital for families to thrive and ensure that our children get the best start in life. For dad’s to be around to support their partners is so important for overall wellbeing and it truly makes a difference. Islington Labour are here to ensure that everybody receives the support they need”.
The motion brought to the council by Islington Labour was passed unanimously.