Government confirms enactment of Neonatal Care Act from April 2025
The Government has confirmed this week that the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 will come into effect on 6th April 2025, introducing a new day one statutory right to neonatal leave for parents with babies in neonatal care.
The measures will allow parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 consecutive days or longer, to take up to 12 weeks of Neonatal Care Leave. This is in addition to any other family friendly leave to which they may be entitled, such as maternity, paternity or shared parental leave.
Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will also be available to those who have the requisite continuity of service and satisfy the minimum earnings threshold.
The Government has commented that this new right is expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents and will ensure that they can focus on supporting their new family at such a critical time, without worrying about the impact of this on their employment.
If you have any questions relating to Neonatal Care Leave and pay, or any other parental leave and how this may impact your business, please contact our Employment Law Team