Why MPs are set to tell bad dad jokes during Commons debate
MPs will make “terrible dad jokes” in the House of Commons to highlight concerns about paternity leave, describing it as the “worst dad joke”.
In Britain, statutory paternity pay is limited to £187.18 per week or 90 per cent of average earnings, whichever is lower.
Fathers are given two weeks of leave, either together or separately, with this salary.
Freddie Van Mierlo, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Fatherhood Group, insists a “loud and clear” message must convey that the current situation is “not good enough”.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame is set to tell the House of Commons during a debate on International Men’s Day: “I used to hate facial hair but then I liked it.
“Sure, it’s not my best joke, but it’s not as bad as the joke played on more than half a million dads every year – just two weeks’ paternity leave at less than half the minimum wage and nothing for the self-employed.”
Portsmouth North Labor MP Amanda Martin said on Thursday: “A skeleton walks into a pub and says: A pint of beer and a mop, please.
“Think this is bad? Try recovering from birth and those scary first days with a new baby when your partner doesn’t get a day of paternity leave or, if you’re lucky, two weeks off.”
Those on lower incomes are less likely to take paternity leave, according to HMRC analysis by campaign group The Dad Shift.
The group said that of the 216,000 people taking paternity leave in 2024-25, 9.5 per cent were earning an annual salary of £37,800 or less.
The government had previously announced it would review parental leave, declaring that the current system “doesn’t work” for families.
George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, said: “A bad joke won’t make the cut. It’s a scandal that low-income dads are being charged such a high price for time spent with their children.”
“Raising your children shouldn’t be a luxury only the rich can afford – but that’s exactly what comes with less than half the minimum wage for two weeks and nothing for the self-employed. No wonder 57 per cent of new fathers say fear of financial insecurity is stopping them from having more children.”
“The government’s review of parental leave is the best opportunity in a generation to make this change, so let’s make it happen,” he added.
