The lack of paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers is leaving families facing what campaigners describe as an “impossible choice” between bonding with a newborn child and maintaining an income, as the government begins a long-awaited review of parental leave and pay.
The issue has been thrust into the spotlight after Luke Charters, the Labour MP for York Outer, became the first MP to take an extended period of paternity leave. Charters has stepped away from parliamentary duties for four weeks following the birth of his second son, with his constituency office continuing to operate in his absence.
Charters said he wanted to demonstrate that fathers should be able to prioritise their families without fear of professional repercussions. He argued that the current system fails many working dads, particularly those who are freelancers or self-employed, who are not entitled to statutory paternity pay.
Under existing rules, fathers who are self-employed or earn less than £125 a week are excluded from statutory paternity leave and pay. For many, that means taking time off without any income at all during the crucial first weeks of a child’s life.
For Leeds-based senior business analyst Stefan Bratu, who recently became self-employed, the policy has had a profound impact on family planning. He said the financial reality of taking unpaid leave made the prospect of having a second child feel out of reach. Even taking two weeks away from work after the birth of his first child came with financial strain, and he described the experience of leaving his partner without support as deeply upsetting.
Bratu is involved with Dadshift, a campaign group calling for better paternity leave and pay. Its co-founder, Alex Lloyd Hunter, said many fathers want to be more present but are blocked by policy. He warned that without properly paid leave, families suffer, mothers are left carrying the burden of early childcare alone, and children miss out on the benefits of early bonding with both parents.
Similar concerns were raised by Tom Clements, another Leeds father, whose paternity leave is coming to an end just weeks after the birth of his daughter. He said the standard two-week period was insufficient, particularly after his wife underwent a caesarean section. Returning to work, he said, would place significant pressure on his family at a time when additional support was essential.
For self-employed parents, flexibility often comes at the cost of security. Wedding photographer Barnaby Aldrick said he had to plan work commitments more than a year in advance around the birth of his children, relying on savings to cover time away from work. While he values the autonomy of self-employment, he said it leaves fathers financially exposed during major life events.
Campaigners argue that better paternity leave would also benefit employers by improving staff retention and loyalty. Errol Murray, founder of the Leeds Dads network, said businesses often overestimate the cost of supporting parental leave. He suggested targeted government support could help smaller firms manage short-term cover while ensuring families are not penalised.
However, concerns remain about affordability. Conservative councillor Alan Lamb said there was sympathy for fathers but questioned how expanded paternity leave could be funded, particularly for micro-businesses and freelancers who lack the resources of large firms.
The government has acknowledged shortcomings in the current system. Jonathan Reynolds recently said the UK’s paternity leave arrangements were “not particularly generous” by international standards and confirmed they were under review. He noted that one in three fathers currently take no parental leave at all and said changes in work patterns, including the rise in self-employment, made reform overdue.
As the review gets under way, fathers and campaigners are urging ministers to ensure any new framework reflects the realities of modern work, arguing that no parent should be forced to choose between financial stability and being present at the start of their child’s life.
