Southgate speaks out and MPs join forces to lure men away from 'toxic influencers'

Dozens of Labour MPs have joined forces to lure young men away from "toxic influencers" and the manosphere with positive messages about fatherhood and the promise of better paternity rights, the Guardian has learned.

- Alexandra Topping, Sally Weale, Pippa Crerar

The new group of predominantly male MPs, many in "red wall" constituencies, is urging Labour to speak to men directly, warning that by "leaving a void" they are allowing figures on the right to dominate the discourse on masculinity.

Separately, a major report is calling for a "boy-positive" learning environment to be developed in schools. Meanwhile the former England men's football team manager Gareth Southgate spoke yesterday of his fear that "callous, manipulative and toxic influencers" were taking the place of traditional father figures in society.

Southgate, who was praised for offering an alternative style of leadership, said he had spoken to many parents concerned about the boys and young men in their lives.

"Young men are suffering. They are feeling isolated. They're grappling with their masculinity and with their broader place in society," he said. "And this void is filled by a new kind of role model who do not have their best interests at heart. These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers whose sole drive is for their own gain."

The report by the Higher Policy Education Institute (Hepi) into educational underachievement of boys - who lag behind girls at every stage of their education - said the shortfall results in greater economic inactivity among young men and leads to "a veering towards the political extremes, particularly among less well-educated men".

The Hepi report calls on the government to develop a strategy for men's education, overseen by a new minister for men and boys.

Southgate's call to arms struck a chord with Labour MPs in the new group aiming to tackle toxic masculinity, said Shaun Davies, who represents Telford in Shropshire.