Employers, the government and individuals must work together to find a solution to the problems posed by paternity leave, according to an industrial relations think-tank.

The Work Foundation has claimed that taking paternity leave in large chunks is not always a viable solution for most men.

Most dads would choose to ignore the offer of six months’ paid paternity leave on £106 per week, simply because they could not afford the time off.

Instead, the Work Foundation has proposed that fathers take small amounts of time off – for instance one day a week – so they can spend time with young children.

Director Nick Isles said: “Fathers could work longer for four days of the week in return for one extra day at home.”