Andy Burnham is facing mounting pressure from Labour MPs to commit to increasing statutory paternity leave ahead of the chancellor's first budget next month, with 105 MPs writing to him to argue that boosting provision is an "obvious" way to ease the cost of living crisis. Support spans nearly half of Labour's 403 MPs, including ministers, whips and secretaries of state, reflecting a view among backbenchers that the policy would be popular with voters, particularly lower-paid fathers who currently cannot afford to take leave.

The letter, coordinated by peer Frances O'Grady with MPs Maya Ellis and Jon Pearce, calls for six weeks' paternity leave paid at 90% of earnings, arguing this would generate £2.6bn in economic growth and help address regional disparities in who currently claims leave. The UK ranks 40th out of 43 OECD countries on paternity provision, with fathers currently entitled to just two weeks at £187.18 a week, less than half the national living wage. The government's own parental leave review is due in December, but many MPs want Burnham to act sooner.