Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing an equivalent paid paternity entitlement to self-employed fathers and partners who are not eligible for Statutory Paternity Pay.

The Government recognises the current system could do more to support the many dads and partners who want to be actively involved in caring for their children.

We are undertaking a Review of the Parental Leave and Pay system. All current Parental Leave and Pay entitlements are in scope of the Review. The Review is also considering support for working families who do not currently qualify for them, such as self-employed parents.

The Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings in which the Government will outline next steps for taking any potential reforms forward to implementation.