A new survey shows that 41% of new fathers, who will be eligible to take up to six months paternity leave, will not do so.

The survey of 1,000 men by uSwitch.com, a price comparison website, showed that of those who would not be taking advantage of new legislation, beginning on April 3, over half said they could not afford to while others claimed to be afraid of losing their job. The new rules give new fathers permission to take up to six months off if their partner returns to work but the survey suggest that many will not do so, even if they have the chance.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said that financial pressures were at the heart of why more men would not be taking advantage of the new legislation. She said: "Unfortunately, the same financial constraints that force new mums back to work before they are ready will also deprive fathers of the option of spending more time with their new baby. Sadly the financial realities of modern life will prevent many men from being the hands-on fathers they would like to be."