TRICIA PHILLIPS

■ Nine out of 10 dads would do anything to be involved in their child’s first weeks and months. Yet less than half of fathers take the full fortnight of paternity leave they are entitled to, a study by Dove Men+Care has revealed.

A lack of fully paid paternity leave was the key reason dads couldn’t take more time off, while a third were worried that taking the full two weeks would have a negative impact on their career.

This sits alongside the gender norms that care is a women’s responsibility, and the perception of women being more competent caregivers than men.

The research has confirmed that British men want to be involved but that national and workplace policy, societal and professional expectations – and pressure from friends and family to conform to stereotypical gender roles – all impact on a father’s confidence in the role of caring for children.

■ Workers are spending more time and money on their commute to work. The time we spend commuting has increased by 18 hours each year compared to a decade ago, according to the TUC.

Meanwhile, an average worker will spend £135,000 on the journey to and from work by the time they retire, says Totaljobs.

London is one of the worst cities in the world for commuters, when journey times and cost of travelcards were compared. Nice in France came out as the best – travelcards cost a quarter of what they do in London and the average travel time is 22 minutes each way – 44 minutes daily – compared to 80 minutes for London.

Regionally, Leicester, Bristol and Edinburgh topped the table as the easiest UK commutes.