'It's not right' | Half of families struggle financially when dads take paternity leave

More than half (53%) of families struggle financially when fathers take paternity leave, according to a new TUC poll.

The survey also reveals that half (50%) of parents don't feel they were able to take enough time off work as paternity leave to support their families.

And one in five (21%) parents told the TUC they didn’t take any paternity leave at all. The biggest reason for this – for more than one in four (27%) parents – is that they can’t afford to reduce their income.

Statutory paternity pay is currently £172.48 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower), and paternity leave is one or two weeks.