Nation of grey-haired new dads

Des O'Connor became a father again in his 70s

Money worries are set to make Britain a country of grey-haired new fathers, a survey suggests.

This could lead to future generations growing up never knowing their grandparents, says Virgin Money Life Insurance.

Of the 150 fathers and 150 soon-to-be-fathers interviewed, 81% said concerns about providing for a family could also make them stop at one child.

The average age of new fathers has risen from 27 in 1971 to 31 in 2004.

A FATHER'S LOT 56% worry about providing for family 53% don't know what child tax credit is 44% want to spend more time with their child 86% can't take paternity leave First-time fathers spend just 4.5 days a month with their child

The number of births per year has fallen by nearly 100,000 in the past three decades.

Jason Wyer-Smith, of Virgin Money Life Insurance, said: "If the trend of the last five years continued, the consequences to society would be huge.

"By 2030 the average man would be over 50 before he felt ready to start a family.

"The concept of children knowing their grandparents could disappear within a couple of generations."

Biggest Fear

More than half of new fathers (56%) admit that their biggest fear through their partner's pregnancy was worry about not being able to provide for their family.

And working to provide for the family means first-time fathers are spending the equivalent of just 4.5 days per month with their new-born in the first year of its life.

More than nine in 10 believe that being a father is the most important role in a man's life.

Although 44% said they would like to spend more time with their child than their own father did with them, 86% cannot afford to take paternity leave.

And 53% do not know what Child Tax Credit is.

Mr Wyer-Smith said: "New dads have waited longer to start their families and should be enjoying the time with their kids but it seems they are still gripped with financial fears and pressure to provide for them.

"It's no surprise that UK fathers are working the longest hours in Europe."