Hitchin MP invites minister for a pint with local parents

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

THURSDAY 3^rd JULY 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, the MP for the Hitchin constituency, will soon welcome the Minister responsible for parental leave to Hitchin for a pint with local parents to discuss the upcoming parental leave review, and the difference improved paternity leave would mean for local families.

The Minister for Employment Rights, Justin Madders MP, accepted Strathern’s invite in the Commons to visit Hitchin soon. Strathern invited the Minister to meet with local Dads and expectant Dads about the UK’s shockingly-low paternity leave.

This week the Government announced a review into parental leave.

Currently, new Dads are only entitled to two weeks paternity leave – one of the worst offerings in Europe. In Strathern’s Commons question to the minister, he cited a story from a constituent who had to take much of his available leave before the birth as his partner was high-risk, meaning he was incredibly anxious about how much time he’d then be able to spend with his family in those crucial early moments post birth. This is just one of countless similar stories Strathern’s office has heard as part of their work on the issue. 

Strathern has for a year been campaigning alongside other MPs and brilliant campaigning organisations like The Dad Shift for a better paternity leave offer. He has joined local campaign events, spoken in the Commons and recently held a pub forum on paternity leave with Hitchin Dads at the Victoria pub.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“I look forward to welcoming the minister to one of Hitchin’s fantastic pubs, to speak with local parents and parents-to-be about such an important issue.

“Two weeks is simply not enough. Families have to choose between finances and parental support, savings and easing the mother’s burden.

“I am really pleased to see the Government commit to a review, and I look forward to ensuring local families stories are at the heart of shaping the government’s reforms.”

Notes for Editors

You can see Strathern in the Commons invite the Minister to Hitchin, here.