Jo Platt MP: Government announces paternity pay for self-employed dads

Across Leigh and Atherton, I know how hard people work to provide for their families.

From our builders, plumbers and electricians to our taxi drivers, shopkeepers and small business owners, self-employed fathers are a vital part of our community and keep our local economy moving.

Yet, for too long, self-employed fathers have been one of the only groups to receive no support at all when a baby arrives despite paying national insurance contributions and all the well documented costs associated with the arrival of a newborn.

I therefore welcome the announcement in this week’s Budget to extend paternity pay to self-employed fathers and non-birthing parents for the first time, helping to provide greater financial security for hardworking families as they prepare to welcome a new baby.

For self-employed parents, taking time away from work is rarely straightforward.

Those who work for themselves can face a direct loss of income when they take time off to support their partner and care for their newborn.

This can leave families facing an unfair choice between taking time off when welcoming a newborn and maintaining the income they need to meet their household expenses.

My husband is a self-employed tradesman, and I know how much this kind of support would have helped him during the early days of fatherhood.

When your income depends on the work you can undertake, taking time off comes at a real financial cost.

That pressure is particularly acute when you are welcoming a child and adjusting to the additional responsibilities and expenses that come with parenthood.

Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that self-employed fathers could lose an average of £1,020 by taking two weeks away from work, the period of leave available to eligible employed fathers.

Its analysis suggests that around 70,000 self-employed fathers across the UK could benefit from the proposed support each year, with between £6.8 million and £18.9 million reaching families, depending on take-up.

Importantly, introducing paternity pay for self-employed fathers will also provide vital support for mothers, allowing them more time to recover from childbirth, adjust to life with a newborn and navigate the physical and emotional challenges of the first few weeks of motherhood.

The cost of preparing for a new baby, alongside the pressures of everyday household bills, can place significant strain on family finances.

For self-employed fathers across Leigh and Atherton, this proposed extension offers the prospect of greater flexibility to take time away from work and be present for their families during those first weeks of a child’s life.

It is a practical measure that recognises the realities of self-employment and the importance of family life.

Ultimately, no parent should be disadvantaged simply because they work for themselves.

Extending paternity pay is a welcome recognition of that principle, and I will continue to support measures that give working families greater security, fairness and stability.