Ealing Council Extends Paternity Leave to Eight Weeks

Offering above statutory minimum to attract and retain staff

Maternity and adoption pay have also been enhanced. Picture: AI generated

September 15, 2026

Ealing Council has announced what is believed to be one of the most generous paternity leave packages in local government, extending paid leave for eligible staff from the statutory two weeks to eight weeks. The change forms part of a wider overhaul of family-friendly employment policies designed to strengthen recruitment, improve retention.

The new offer marks a significant shift in the council’s employment strategy. Alongside the extended paternity leave, Ealing has introduced a retention payment for staff returning from maternity leave, recognising the challenges new parents face when returning to work and actively incentivising their continued careers within the organisation.

Maternity and adoption pay have also been enhanced. The council has increased full-pay entitlement from six to up to eight weeks, extended periods of half-pay, and widened eligibility criteria. Adoptive parents will now receive consistent support regardless of a child’s age, and a new one-month retention payment will encourage staff to return after adoption leave.

These measures sit within a broader package of cost-of-living support for council employees. A rental deposit scheme will help staff secure privately rented homes or bridge the gap between moving properties, while a childcare deposit loan scheme will support parents needing to secure nursery or childcare places. The council says these initiatives are designed to remove barriers to employment and progression, particularly for the 30% of its workforce who are borough residents.

Ealing’s cabinet member for inclusive economy and efficiency, Councillor Steve Donnelly, said the changes reflect the council’s values and long-term ambitions for its workforce.

“Equality, inclusion and strengthening relationships are at the heart of Ealing’s values, and we are putting these values into action through our new workforce policies. Children and families do best when they benefit from as many close, loving relationships as possible and we want to support them to build these strong foundations, right from the start,” he said.

“Cost of living support will help to break down barriers to employment and career progression. And in creating a modern, flexible working environment, we are making sure that we can recruit and retain the best possible talent to serve the people of Ealing, now and in the future. We are not only building a stronger council, we are building stronger communities.”

The move has been welcomed by campaigners and unions. George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, called the policy “a massive difference to hundreds of working dads and their families,” adding that eight weeks of properly paid paternity leave gives fathers “a meaningful chance to support their partners, bond with their babies, and take their first steps figuring out what it means to be a father.”

Dean Mullins, GMB representative at Ealing Council, said the extended leave recognises the realities families face in the early weeks after birth. “Having additional paid leave available can make a significant difference, providing much-needed support during a critical time for both parents and children.”

Unison representatives Kemi Atolagbe and Mary Lancaster described the changes as “a genuinely progressive step that supports working families, improves retention, and reflects modern expectations of a fair, inclusive workplace.”

The updated policies also take a gender-neutral approach to parental leave, ensuring partners of any gender can access support. Alongside the boosted offer for parents, the council is continuing to develop wider measures including new career development pathways, apprenticeships and targeted retention packages for hard-to-recruit roles.