Government backs new law to provide additional paid leave to parents whose babies require specialist care after birth

The government supports a proposed law that will give parents of newborns who need specialized care extended paid leave.

According to new legislation supported by the government today, thousands of parents whose newborns need specialized care after birth will be entitled to take extended paid time off of work (Friday 15 July).

A baby that is born prematurely or with a medical condition will get neonatal care in a hospital or another place where treatment is agreed upon, frequently for a long time.

Parents may find themselves in a tough situation where they must take advantage of any available leave time to be by their child’s side, or even worse, where they must go back to work while their child is still receiving medical attention in the hospital.

As part of the government’s support for Stuart C. McDonald’s Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill, which was introduced today, parents will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave in addition to other leave entitlements like maternity and paternity leave, allowing them to spend more time with their newborn during a very stressful time.

When it becomes legislation, employees will have access to neonatal care leave starting on the day they start a new employment.

It will also apply to parents of infants who are admitted to the hospital up to the age of 28 days and who have a continuous hospital stay of 7 full days or longer.

Today’s amendments will lessen future constraints on families whose infants require neonatal care by preventing them from being forced to choose between taking unpaid leave or continuing to work, especially as many parents in the UK struggle with growing living costs.

It will aid firms who want to better support their personnel as well as families.

Jane Hunt, a minister for business:

For parents, having a newborn in neonatal care is a very stressful period. No family should have to worry about their return to work or how much time off they have accrued.

I believe that by supporting this Bill wholeheartedly, we can allay one worry for new parents and provide them with the extra paid time off they require to take care of their sick child.

With up to 12 weeks of paid leave for each parent, the reforms will be a big help to parents all around the UK.

39 weeks of paid maternity leave are frequently insufficient for mothers of children who spend a significant amount of time in the hospital during their early years since they must return to work.

By extending the length of paid leave available to fathers and partners beyond the standard 2 weeks of paternity leave, the legislation amendment will also ensure that they have the freedom to divide childcare duties.

It will also work well with shared parental leave and the flexibility it offers, allowing both parents to prioritize their children and families at that priceless period immediately following childbirth.

Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, and Kirkintilloch East MP Stuart C. McDonald said:

No parent should have to decide between taking full advantage of maternity leave and returning to work, or between staying with their premature or ill infant in neonatal care and having to work to support their family.

Given the rising expense of living, it is more crucial than ever that we obtain a quick reform in the law to ensure that parents of infants receiving neonatal care have the paid leave and support they require during an exceptionally difficult time.

With the support of Bliss and families from all throughout Scotland and the United Kingdom, I’m excited to introduce this Bill.

Caroline Lee-Davey, the CEO of Bliss, said:

We are overjoyed that the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill has received the government’s support and passed Second Reading in Parliament.

After years of advocacy, this is a tremendous victory that will lead to tens of thousands of parents receiving paid leave each year when their infant is severely ill in the hospital.

We are aware of the significance of this right for families and the impact it will have on young children.

Thousands of parents are being forced to either go back to work while their child is in the hospital or spend the most of their maternity leave next to an incubator.

We are one step closer to providing many parents with the much-needed time to be by their baby’s side in the hospital after the advancements made today.

In order to ensure that this Bill becomes law as soon as possible, we look forward to working with Stuart McDonald MP, the government, and MPs from all parties in the future.

We are aware that there is still work to be done to complete the Bill’s passage through Parliament.

The government already has a set of policies in place to help the families with the lowest incomes and those who are most vulnerable.

The National Living Wage was raised by the government earlier this year to £9.50 per hour, which is an increase of £1,000 per year for a full-time employee.

A comprehensive campaign encouraging employees to check their pay is currently in effect.