Key facts
- Labour MPs are urging the government to set targets to increase the number of male teachers in England.
- The UK's paternity leave offer is among the worst in the OECD, with MPs advocating for an increase beyond two weeks.
- Only 24% of teachers in England are men, with the figure dropping to 14% in primary schools.
- MPs argue that increasing male teachers is crucial to combatting the 'crisis of masculinity' and the influence of the 'manosphere'.
- The government aims to recruit 6,500 additional teachers by the end of the parliament.
Labour MPs are leveraging a period of government disarray to push for policy changes, including setting targets to increase the number of male teachers in England and expanding paternity leave. MPs argue that a "crisis of masculinity" requires more positive male role models in schools, and that the UK's current paternity leave offer is inadequate compared to other OECD countries.
Several Labour MPs, including former deputy leader Angela Rayner and former health secretary Wes Streeting, have publicly supported calls for extended paternity leave by wearing football shirts. MP Ali Strathern emphasized that voters are more concerned with issues like family and the cost of living than political drama. Peter Swallow, MP for Bracknell, stated that increasing male teachers is essential to combatting the influence of the "manosphere" on vulnerable boys.
The Labour Men and Boys group is actively campaigning for increased paternity leave, with research suggesting strong public support for fathers having more time with their newborns. MPs see this as an opportunity to shape policy ahead of a potential Labour leadership contest. A promotional stunt involving custom football shirts and stadium posters is planned to draw attention to the paternity leave issue.
A Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged the historic underrepresentation of men in teaching and stated that the government is working towards its goal of recruiting 6,500 new teachers, while also exploring options to enhance workforce diversity.