A first-time father says he missed precious bonding time with his newborn son after receiving only four days off work. Now, he’s urging the UK to extend statutory paternity leave so dads don’t feel forced to choose between income and family.

“I Missed Moments I Can Never Get Back”

When Jake Holyoak, 30, welcomed his son Freddie in March 2023, he expected to spend two full weeks at home. But complications changed everything. His wife, Natasha, developed sepsis during labour and required an emergency C-section. The couple stayed in the hospital for six days—leaving Jake with only four days remaining once they finally returned home.

Jake says the timing left him feeling “really down.” He wanted to support Natasha’s recovery and settle into life with their newborn, but financial pressure pushed him back to work almost immediately. “I couldn’t afford unpaid leave,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to lose pay to be with your baby.”

Many Fathers Face the Same Struggle

New research shows half of UK fathers take only two weeks off after birth, and many want far more time—up to 12 weeks. A third rely on annual leave to fill the gap, while others skip leave altogether because they can’t afford it.

Calling for Change

Jake believes the system is outdated. While he supports longer maternity leave, he says a month of paternity leave should be standard. “You see something new every day with a newborn. I missed so much,” he said.

If he has more children, Jake insists he’ll choose an employer with clear, supportive family-leave policies—even if it means less pay. “Flexible hours and fair paternity leave matter more than office perks,” he said.