How long is paternity leave in the UK and what is the statutory paternity pay for fathers?
MP's recently claimed dad's want to share more childcare duties and spend more time at home during their child's first year
GOVERNMENT ministers have recently called for working dads to be offered three months leave in their child's first year to form meaningful bonds with their kids.
So how much leave are fathers currently offered in the UK? Here's what we know.
How long is paternity leave in the UK?
Men are entitled to paternity leave if their partner is having a baby, adopting a child or having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement.
They can choose to take either one or two weeks. But the amount they receive will not change if their partner has a multiple birth.
Dad's must take their leave in one go.
One week is equal to the number of days they would usually work in a normal working week.
For example, a week would be three days if they only work Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
They can also get time off to accompany their partner, or the surrogate mother, to two antenatal appointments.
If adopting a child, they can get time off to attend two adoption appointments after they have been matched with a child.
What is the statutory paternity pay for fathers?
The statutory weekly rate of paternity pay is £1490.98.
It could also be 90 percent of the father's weekly average earnings, whichever is lower.
Father's could get more pay if their employer has a company paternity scheme - they can't offer you less than the statutory amounts.
Dad's will usually be paid when they're on leave, but their employers must confirm the start and end dates.
To receive paternity pay, they must have worked for their employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the "qualifying week" - the 15th week before the baby is due.
They must earn at least £113 a week, before tax.