Since at least 2014, there has been calls for the leave and pay for parents of premature babies in neonatal care, to be extended.
Backed by the government on Friday 15th July, the additional paid leave will allow parents to spend more time providing crucial care for their baby and alleviate the concerns of taking additional time off work unpaid.
The neonatal care bill will allow up to an additional 12 weeks of paid leave in addition to the maternity and paternity entitlement. The leave is available to employees from their first day in a new job and applies to the parents of babies who are admitted into hospital up to the age of 28 days and are required hospital care for 7 full days or more.
Stuart McDonald, MP who backed the bill has said; "No parent should have to choose between being with their premature or sick baby in neonatal care and having to return to work to earn a living, or enjoying the full benefits of parental leave and going back to work."
Caroline Lee-Davey, the Chief Executive from Charity Bliss, "We know there is now more to do to continue the Bill’s passage through Parliament, and we look forward to continuing to work with Stuart McDonald MP and the government, and MPs across all parties to ensure that this Bill becomes law as quickly as possible.
Please visit the government website for additional information.