Reshaping Paternity Leave in the UK: How Deloitte's new policy supports growing families

Top consulting firm Deloitte UK has taken a leap in support of new fathers by introducing a minimum six-month paternity leave policy.

The initiative came into effect in January 2025. It was inspired by the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce, which HRH Princess of Wales championed.

The Princess has long been an advocate for better assistance in the workforce for new parents and growing families. The task force consistently emphasises the importance of supporting young families, particularly during the early developmental years of children. With the ever-evolving ways people are raising their families, Deloitte senior management has decided that supporting new fathers is a step in the right direction towards gender equality.

Breaking through the UK’s poor statutory paternity leave policies

The UK has one of the poorest paternity leave policies in the developed world, offering only two weeks of paid leave as a statutory minimum. Compare this with fathers in Australia, who are eligible for a shared Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme that offers 20 weeks of paid leave, increasing to 26 weeks in 2026. Deloitte UK’s new policy aligns British fathers with their Australian counterparts, exceeding their statutory requirements.

More large businesses are supporting new fathers in the UK

Support of the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce initiative is reaching far and wide. Aviva, The Co-operative Group, LEGO, IKEA, NatWest, and Unilever UK, to name a few, have pledged to prioritise growing families.

A report released by Deloitte estimates that £45 billion could be added to the UK economy via investment in early learning and childhood support. The figure is based on projections of increased workforce participation and educational outcomes, as well as reduced spending on various social services.

The task force has been the catalyst that spearheaded initiatives such as LEGO’s donation of emotion-themed building kits for schools and IKEA’s partnership with Baby Bank Alliance to relieve families of cost-of-living pressures.

Royal Foundation Business Taskforce chair Sir Ron Kalifa states: “This is only the beginning. By continuing to work together, businesses have the power to champion childhood, wellbeing, and long-term societal health.” As the task force gains momentum, there are many positive signs that large businesses are actively supporting families in the UK through their own initiatives. Deloitte’s six-month paternity leave policy has recognised and responded to a significant discrepancy in gender equality with family values at heart.

With some of the world’s leading companies redefining their policies for a modern world, this movement could be the investment we need to support the next generation.