Hugh's Law

I am pleased to support Baroness Grey-Thompson’s amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, which would introduce Serious Childhood Illness Leave and Pay.

This amendment would give parents of seriously ill children—from 29 days to 16 years old—the right to paid, protected leave from day one, so they can focus on their child’s care without the added pressure of financial strain.

Right now, only parents of newborns in neonatal care receive this kind of support. Families whose children fall seriously ill later are left without that protection. This amendment would close that unfair gap—and bring financial support, fairness, and compassion to families facing unimaginable circumstances.

Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis, founders of the charity It’s Never You, have been tireless in campaigning for this change. Their dedication to helping other families, in memory of their son Hugh, is incredibly powerful.

I’ve written to the Department for Business and Trade to urge the government to adopt this amendment and make it law. I’ll continue to advocate for this vital change—because no family should be left behind when it matters most.