What is Hugh’s Law

Hugh's Law is named in memory of Hugh Menai-Davis, who died from cancer aged six in 2021.

It is a national campaign calling for statutory paid leave and employment protections for parents of seriously ill children, ensuring no parent is forced to choose between caring for their child and protecting their livelihood.

Ahead of potential legislation, employers can voluntarily adopt the principles of Hugh's Law, providing:

  • Employment protection

  • A minimum financial safety net

  • A clear, fair and consistent framework

  • A compassionate workplace culture that supports families in crisis

The Gap in Support

Evidence shows that parents of seriously ill children face immediate financial, employment and mental health challenges following diagnosis. Many lose income, reduce their working hours or leave employment altogether, while facing uncertainty over job security.

The impact is significant: 95% of parents experience financial hardship, 88% reduce their working hours or leave work, and 79% report a decline in their mental health. Delays in financial support and fragmented services leave families without help when they need it most.

Serious childhood illness affects the whole family. Without early support, parents face long-term financial hardship, psychological distress and poorer health outcomes while caring for their child.

The Scale and Impact

Serious childhood illness affects thousands of families each year. Around 11,000 children in the UK develop conditions requiring significant parental care, with approximately 4,000 families facing hospital stays of two months or more. For many, this leads to an immediate disruption to work, prolonged time away from employment and a sudden loss of income.

Why This Matters

When a child becomes seriously ill, a parent's presence is essential. They provide care, support treatment decisions and act as the child's advocate.

Without appropriate support, parents are forced to choose between staying by their child's bedside and protecting their income and employment.

Serious childhood illness places families under simultaneous financial, employment and mental health pressures that existing systems are not designed to address. These challenges are often made worse by delays in accessing support and the complexity of navigating multiple services during a time of acute crisis.

International comparisons show that many countries provide structured, immediate support for parents of seriously ill children, including extended periods of paid leave. By contrast, the UK lacks a clear statutory framework that offers timely and predictable support.

The financial consequences are often severe. Many parents are forced into debt, rely on credit or delay essential payments to cope, while others struggle to meet housing costs and everyday living expenses. Without timely intervention, families are placed under unnecessary and often long-lasting financial hardship.

Why Change is Needed