In the March 2020 budget, following years of campaigning from The Smallest Things, the government announced the introduction of Neonatal Leave and Pay, promising to give parents statutory paid leave for every week their baby remains in neonatal care up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
Despite repeated assurances by Boris Johnson and the Government to bring forward legislation, it still has not happened and families are still missing precious time with their babies.
The Smallest Things is extremely disappointed that the Employment Bill, which would include Neonatal Leave and Pay legislation, was not included in the Queen’s Speech (given by the Prince of Wales) on 10 May 2022.
The continuous delay of the implementation of Neonatal Leave and Pay is costing parents time with their babies. Extended parental leave would give parents the emotional and financial support needed at a time of great stress and trauma - in turn leading to better postnatal health, a more positive return to work and better outcomes for babies development.
Born too soon, babies can spend weeks and months in hospital before their parents can bring them home. Dads and partners juggle work and family commitments as paternity leave fails to cover the time they needed while their baby remains in neonatal intensive care; and mums recovering from the trauma of premature birth wait beside incubators hoping for the precious moment they can hold their child.
Despite Boris Johnson comitting to introduce Neonatal Leave and Pay “one way or another” familes are still waiting and the number of parents missing out is rising. The Smallest Things will continue to work with families and the wider neonatal sector in urging the government to bring forward Neonatal Leave and Pay with urgency to support families at the most difficult times.
How can you help?
Calling all NICU mums and dads! How would your story be different if you had received Neonatal Leave and Pay?
What would have extended parental leave have meant to you - we would love to share your story.
Together, our voice is louder and we can continue to make real change. Click below to get in touch.
Will you meet with your MP?
Help bring in urgent support and additional paid leave for neonatal parents, many of whom have been separated from their babies in NICU, losing precious time they can not get back.
Arrange to meet your MP and ask them to write to the Prime Minister and Paul Scully MP (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) requesting information on when the promised Neonatal Leave and Pay legislation will be brought in.
Most MPs hold regular constituency surgeries and it is best to arrange a time to meet them, which you can do by contacting their office (contact details can be found here).
Will your employer lead the way?
Help parents of premature babies receive much-needed support and additional paid leave now by encouraging your employer to become an Employer with Heart.
“As a parent to a premature baby girl I was overjoyed when I was informed that my employer signed up to the ‘Employer with Heart’ charter. To know that my employer recognises the impact of having a baby prematurely is so valuable. It is an extremely stressful and worrying time. To have the support of your employer will help alleviate some of that stress and worry.”
— Tia, Employer with Heart (Vita Health Group) employee
Join the conversation at #NeonatalLeaveNow
For more information, media enquiries or case studies contact us at | hello@thesmallestthings.org