The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fatherhood was relaunched in May 2025 for the new Parliament, with Liberal Democrat MP Freddie van Mierlo as Chair and Future Men providing the Secretariat.
In its first year, the Group has brought together parliamentarians, researchers, practitioners, campaigners and policymakers to explore some of the biggest issues affecting fathers and their children – from parental leave and fathers’ mental health to imprisonment, smartphones and the growing influence of the manosphere.
The APPG has also used its parliamentary voice to raise issues directly with Government and other key stakeholders, helping to turn discussion into action.
A year of activity
May 2025 — Relaunch
The APPG for Fatherhood held its AGM and relaunched for the new Parliamentary term, with Freddie van Mierlo MP elected as Chair.
The Group also welcomed a number of new parliamentary members during the year:
- Baroness Penn
- Matt Turmaine MP
- Sarah Smith MP
- Alex Davies-Jones MP
- Rachel Maskell MP
July 2025 – Fathers’ mental health and neurodivergence
Our first full meeting focused on fathers’ mental health and neurodivergence, with speaker Mark Williams, founder of International Fathers’ Mental Health Day.
Following the meeting, Freddie van Mierlo wrote to the Department for Health and Social Care on behalf of the APPG, raising the issues discussed and calling for greater recognition of fathers’ mental health needs.
The APPG also supported Dad Shift’s Dad Strike, with Freddie van Mierlo and Owen Thomas speaking at the event.
October 2025 – Paternity leave
The APPG met with Kate Dearden MP, Minister for Employment Rights and Consumer Protection, to discuss paternity leave.
The meeting provided an opportunity to raise the importance of fathers having meaningful time with their babies and to discuss how parental leave policy can better support families.
February 2026 – Fathers in prison
The APPG held a meeting on supporting fathers in prison, hearing from Dr Jasmine Kelland of the University of Plymouth about the experiences and needs of imprisoned fathers and their children.
The APPG subsequently wrote to the Justice Minister with recommendations arising from the discussion.
In July, the Group received a response confirming that the Government was undertaking a pilot and learn programme aligned with recommendations raised by the APPG.
April 2026 – Children and smartphones
The Group turned its attention to children and smartphones, hearing from Laura Wyatt-Smith about the impact of smartphones and online experiences on children and families.
Following the meeting, the APPG wrote to the Children’s Commissioner and a range of Government and other stakeholders to raise the issues discussed and prompt action, and encouraging responses were received.
June 2026 – Fathers, young men and the manosphere
In June, the APPG held a roundtable with the makers of Louis Theroux’s Netflix documentary Into the Manosphere.
The discussion explored what the documentary revealed about the online environments increasingly shaping the experiences of boys and young men, and what adults and professionals can do in response.
Following the roundtable, Freddie van Mierlo began work on a practical toolkit for practitioners working with young men, drawing on the documentary makers’ 12 lessons learned.
The APPG also marked Father’s Day with a statement from Freddie van Mierlo celebrating the importance of fathers and fatherhood.
From discussion to action
A key priority for the APPG has been ensuring that engagement with topics does not simply end when the meetings do.
Throughout the year, the Group has used meetings and roundtables as a starting point for letters, parliamentary engagement and practical follow-up, including correspondence with Government Ministers, the Children’s Commissioner and other stakeholders.
A strong first year
In its first year, the APPG for Fatherhood has:
- Relaunched for the new Parliament with a new Chair.
- Welcomed five new parliamentary members.
- Held meetings and roundtables on fathers’ mental health, neurodivergence, paternity leave, fathers in prison, children and smartphones, and the manosphere.
- Engaged directly with Government Ministers and other senior stakeholders.
- Written to Government and public bodies following APPG discussions.
- Supported wider campaigning, including Dad Shift’s Dad Strike.
- Begun developing a practical toolkit for professionals working with young men.
- Fulfilled all requirements of the APPG Registrar.
This first year has established the APPG as a space for parliamentarians to hear directly from researchers, practitioners, campaigners and other stakeholders – and to turn those conversations into action.
We look forward to building on this work in the year ahead, continuing to make fathers and fatherhood a serious part of the policy conversation.