Premature Baby Pay and Leave To Become Law
Parents of babies born prematurely are to have extra statutory paid leave.
The move was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in his March 11th budget. The proposed new Neonatal Pay and Leave regulations will allow new mothers and fathers to claim statutory paid leave of £160 a week for every week their child is in neonatal care, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
This is separate from and additional to maternity leave and does not affect the right of mothers to take their statutory maternity leave.
The new statutory neonatal leave and pay has yet to go through parliament.
Over 350,000 people had signed a petition by a Croydon mother, Catriona Ogilvy calling for Neonatal leave to become a right.
Mrs Ogilvy has been petitioning to have parental leave extended since the birth of her son Samuel, who was born 10 weeks prematurely in 2015.
In response to her campaign, the Mayor of London has already given extra leave to City Hall staff who have babies born prematurely.
Similar policies have also been operated by Sony Music, Croydon, Southwark and Waltham Forest Councils.
The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.
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