A proposal by a rights watchdog in the UK for improved paternity leave for fathers has sparked an outcry by conservatives.

They said the traditional family with a stay-at-home mother was under sustained attack in Britain.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission of Britain proposed that more men should be encouraged to stay at home with their babies.

It said fathers must be given improved paternity leave rights to balance the paid time off enjoyed by mothers.

"No one is suggesting that women should not have the rights they have to maternity leave, what we are saying is that dads need a slice of the action too," the Commission's Chief Executive Nicola Brewer said.

He suggested fathers should get 12 weeks of paternity leave paid at 90 per cent of their salary, if a mother goes back to work before her leave ends.