MILITARY dads could soon be given more time with their newborn babies under plans being considered by the Government.
Ex-Armed Forces Minister Al Carns has urged Wes Streeting to extend paternity leave for troops after revealing he had just two days with his daughter before returning to Northern Ireland for three months.
The Sun understands former Defence Secretary John Healey had been preparing to announce improved paternity leave around Armed Forces Day before he resigned in June.
And a government source confirmed the proposals remain alive, telling The Sun: “We’re looking at it.”
Mr Carns has now urged Mr Streeting to pick up the plans and suggested Remembrance would be a good time to unveil them.
Serving personnel who qualify currently receive up to two weeks of paternity leave on full pay.
The former Royal Marine was serving in Northern Ireland when his partner was due to be induced and tried to time his two weeks off around the birth.
But the induction took nine days, leaving him just days with his newborn before he had to return to duty for another three months.
Mr Carns told The Sun: “It was pretty miserable because you were waiting when you were trying to time it, and then had two or three days, and I was straight back up to Northern Ireland for three months…
“The reality is, in the military, you spend less time with your family or children than probably any other profession.
“Having that bespoke period of time around your child’s birth is absolutely critical.”
He said the policy should already have been largely worked up under Mr Healey and could now be taken forward by his successor.
Mr Carns said: “If John Healey was looking into it, the policy will be written, and it’ll be a case of just moving it forward and making sure it’s correctly costed.
“I’m sure Wes will be looking at it. Remembrance is always a good time to make announcements.”
George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, said: “Two weeks might work for a family holiday to Spain, but the idea it’d be enough for fathers when a new baby arrives is a joke. This government says it has squaddies backs, well here’s a chance to prove it.”
Mr Carns said any extension would need safeguards to ensure it did not interfere with operational requirements.
An MOD spokesperson said: “We recognise the unique demands Service life places on personnel and their families and we are committed to providing fair, compassionate and accessible parental leave.”