A report by the women and equalities select committee has concluded that the right to request flexible working has not created the necessary cultural change, while the government itself admitted to the inquiry that its flagship shared parental leave scheme will not meet its objective for most fathers.

The committee recommends that statutory paternity pay should be paid at 90% of the father’s pay (capped for higher earners) to help ensure that all fathers, regardless of income, can be at home around the time of their child’s birth.

It wants the government to consider the costs and benefits of introducing a new policy of 12 weeks’ standalone fathers’ leave in the child’s first year as an alternative to shared parental leave when it reviews the policy this year, and says the government should legislate immediately to make a reality the Prime Minister’s call for all jobs to be advertised as flexible from day one, unless there are solid business reasons not to.

In addition, the committee recommended the government should harmonise workplace rights for fathers who are agency workers or self-employed with those for employed fathers where practical – for example by introducing paternity allowance similar to maternity allowance.

Maria Miller, chair of the women and equalities committee, said: ‘While the government has taken positive steps forwards and has good intentions, workplace policies have not kept up with the social changes in people's everyday lives.

‘Effective policies around statutory paternity pay, parental leave and flexible working are all vital if we are to meet the needs of families and tackle the gender pay gap.’

Fathers and the workplace is here.

Report by Pat Sweet