UK Parliament home

Open Statutory paid leave for parents whose child is undergoing cancer treatment

Created by Christopher Egerton
Closes on

I’d like the Government to provide statutory paid leave, in the same way as maternity and paternity leave, for parents whose child is diagnosed with cancer and need to assist them with their care.

A diagnosis of childhood cancer is extremely distressing and can turn a parent’s life upside down and redefine structure to daily life. Currently the Government assists with maternity leave to assist with maternal recovery and childhood bonding, and I would argue that a dying child deserves the same consideration for medical treatment, recovery and bonding. I feel work commitments and finances are making this untenable. The Government has already invested in covering travel costs from 2027.

Sign this petition

3,583 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 30 September 2026.