THE NEXT STEPS
We are now waiting to hear the Governments recommendations
We will be shortly putting together a pack to send to your MP to make the case for Hugh’s law, for more information please click the link below.
For years, we have been fighting for parents who are forced to choose between being at their child's bedside and keeping their job. Now, for the first time, the Government is listening.
Hugh's Law was formally part of a Government consultation on new employment rights for parents of seriously ill children. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape policy that will protect families in crisis.
The Government has consulted on Hugh's Law.
Why This Matters:
When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, everything changes overnight. Parents drop everything to be there. But without any legal right to paid leave, thousands are forced back to work before they are ready, or pushed out of employment entirely.
The numbers tell the story:
95% of parents experience financial hardship following a child's diagnosis
88% reduce their hours or leave work altogether
79% report a serious decline in their mental health
Around 11,000 children in the UK each year face serious health conditions requiring sustained parental care. For those families, the financial shock hits immediately and the current system offers almost nothing from day one.
The Government was seeking views on whether parents of seriously ill children should have a legal right to paid, protected leave when their child is seriously ill. It also covers how serious illness should be defined, who should be eligible, how long leave should last, and what the level of pay should be.
This is the moment to make the case.
What the Consultation Covered:
Share Your Story
Your experience matters. If you are a parent who has lived through the financial and emotional impact of a child's serious illness, we want to hear from you. Your story could help change the law for thousands of families.