The retailers’ enhanced paternity benefits extend beyond Great Britain’s statutory entitlement, which is capped at two weeks.
At Marks & Spencer (M&S), the benefit pays full basic pay for six weeks, with statutory paternity pay included within that period. M&S announced the extension from two weeks on Feb. 27, 2024; it took effect April 1, 2024. The retailer said its maternity, paternity and adoption policy changes represented a combined annual investment of £5 million, without assigning a separate amount to paternity leave.
Tesco’s 2026 sustainability report says UK staff may receive as many as six weeks of full pay while on paternity leave.
In Great Britain, employees can take one or two weeks of statutory paternity leave. For the 2026-27 tax year, statutory pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Since April 6, 2026, employees have been able to take paternity leave from their first day of employment, but statutory pay eligibility still requires 26 weeks of continuous employment and gross earnings of at least £129 a week.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) has called for statutory paternity leave to rise to six weeks during the current Parliament. Joanne Thomas, the union’s general secretary, said low statutory payments can make family-leave rights unaffordable. “The low rates of statutory remuneration across all types of family leave mean that many families simply cannot afford to use their rights,” Thomas said.
Labour MP Ian Byrne asked in a parliamentary question whether the government would establish six weeks of leave paid at 90% of average weekly earnings. In an Oct. 12 response, the government said all existing parental-leave and pay entitlements are under review. It said the review will conclude in early 2027 with findings and next steps on possible reforms, but did not commit to Byrne’s proposal.
