A decade after its launch, the UK’s shared parental leave scheme is criticized for failing working families, particularly lower earners. Analysis reveals that the majority of participants are high earners, while awareness and uptake remain low among fathers. Personal accounts from fathers highlight the struggles and benefits of taking leave, amid calls from campaigners for more substantial support and changes to the system. The government plans a review of parental leave, but advocates argue that current policies are inadequate compared to European standards.