RETAIL union Usdaw backed an increase in statutory paternity pay from two weeks to eight at its annual conference today.

General secretary Paddy Lillis said: “At just two weeks, paternity leave and pay in the UK are the worst in Europe.

“Our own research shows one in five dads and partners don’t take the leave they are entitled to, because it’s so poorly paid.

“And, unsurprisingly, almost all dads don’t find they get enough time with their new baby in the first year.

“Time that is important, because supporting families to share caring responsibilities more equitably gives families more choices about childcare, helping to tackle the gender pay gap.”

Noting that most retailers now offer four weeks’ paid time off to new fathers, he added: “Labour have committed to a comprehensive review of parental leave and the union will be using this opportunity to call for further improvements to paternity leave to better support working families.”