Islington Council extends paternity leave to six weeks at 90% pay

Islington Council is introducing an enhanced paternity leave policy, offering employees six weeks of leave at 90 per cent of their normal pay. This change, effective from mid-November, aims to provide new fathers, partners, and adoptive parents with more time to spend with their families.

Council Leader Una O’Halloran stated the intention behind the policy is to allow colleagues more time with their partners and newborns to "build the foundations of family life." This enhanced offer aligns the pay for the first six weeks of paternity leave with the statutory entitlement for new mothers' maternity leave.

Employee experiences highlight need for change

Jake Shiels, a deputy planning manager at Islington Council and father of two, shared his experience, noting the significant challenges of the initial weeks with a newborn. He described the statutory two weeks of paternity leave as insufficient, stating it "didn't feel very fair" when his first child was born. Mr Shiels had to use annual leave to extend his time off, which he said required him to be "quite frugal throughout the year."

Campaign group The Dad Shift, which advocates for reform of paternity and shared parental leave, has highlighted that Islington Council is among a small number of local authorities offering more than the statutory minimum. Research indicates that out of 150 councils surveyed, only 16 provided more than two weeks of paternity leave. The group has provided evidence to a parliamentary inquiry on the matter.

Comparison with other London boroughs

In London, other councils also offer extended paternity leave. Ealing Council has provided eight weeks of leave at full pay since September 2026. Hounslow Council offers four weeks of leave at full pay, with no qualifying period, which can be taken at any time within a year of a child's birth.

Government review underway

The UK government is currently reviewing statutory paternity leave allowances. Conclusions from this review are anticipated in early 2027. Islington Council's decision to implement its enhanced policy ahead of any potential government changes demonstrates a proactive approach, as stated by Councillor O’Halloran, who said the council was "not waiting for the government to tell us to do the right thing."