‘Society needs children’: Alan Johnson calls for better-paid UK paternity leave

Exclusive: Former Labour minister says working-class fathers are being shortchanged and budget should correct it

Parliament was in recess when Tony Blair called Alan Johnson up to his flat above No 11. The former prime minister was relaxed, padding around in his socks, while his son Leo played with his toys. Johnson, then the education secretary, spoke about his own son from his second marriage, who was a similar age.

“Tony said: ‘Oh you’re a father?’” recalled Johnson. “I said: ‘Tony, I had three kids by the age of 20!’ He looked at me and said: ‘So you really are working-class …’”