MPs approve paid neonatal leave to provide ‘support and reassurance’ for parents MPs have approved the introduction of paid neonatal leave to provide “support, reassurance and stability” to parents of sick and premature babies.
“Isla’s Journey, for example, is advocating for a travel support fund for parents, because when a child is admitted to a neonatal ward miles from home, parents have to make long and costly journeys to spend time with their baby.
The statutory instrument will provide parents a day-one right to one week of neonatal leave and pay for each continuous week of neonatal care their baby receives up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
It will take effect from April 6 2025 and leave can be taken on top of any other leave parents may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.
Labour MP for Thurrock Jen Craft called on the Government to go further, raising the case of her constituent Ashley Wiseman, who founded the charity Isla’s Journey after her daughter Isla was born premature at 24 weeks weighing just 655g.
