UK Government:
I HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT. FINANCES SHOULDN’T BE ONE.
IT’S TIME FOR #HUGHSLAW
IN BRITAIN TODAY, THERE IS STILL NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER
WE’RE EXPECTED TO CARRY THE BURDEN ALONE
THIS IS NOT COMPASSION
THIS IS NOT CARE
THIS IS FAILURE
“I HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT. FINANCES SHOULDN’T BE ONE.”
PARENTS DESERVE BETTER
CHILDREN DESERVE THEIR PARENTS
IT’S TIME FOR #HUGHSLAW
WHAT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE?
There is financial support when a baby is born sick but nothing if your child becomes seriously ill after 29 days.
Right now, parents are expected to rely on:
Unpaid parental leave – just 4 weeks a year
5 days of unpaid carer’s leave
Disability Living Allowance - only after 3 months, with a 20-week delay
Universal Credit – means-tested, slow, and excludes many
That leaves a devastating gap from day 1, just when parents are hit hardest, mentally, emotionally, and financially.
We are fighting to change that.
Hugh’s Law would guarantee paid leave from day 1 for parents of seriously or terminally ill children extending the same employment protections already given to neonatal and bereavement situations.
This is exactly what the welfare state was built for to support people in their moment of greatest need, not abandon them.
Parents shouldn’t have to sell their homes or sacrifice their jobs to be by their sick child’s bedside. But today, thousands do while facing trauma and financial collapse.
Parents deserve better. Children need their parents. And the state must not look away.
WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?
We want to close a cruel and unjust gap in the current system.
Right now, there is no legal right to paid leave for parents when their child is diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness.
Hugh’s Law calls for the introduction of Serious Childhood Illness Leave and Pay a new statutory right to take paid, protected leave from day one of diagnosis, so parents can be present for their child without falling into financial ruin. It would extend the same employment protections already offered to parents of newborns in neonatal care, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compassion across all stages of childhood.
Hugh’s Law is about recognising that when a child becomes seriously ill, their parents need urgent support not red tape, delays, or poverty.
HOW YOUR COMPANY CAN HELP
IS YOUR COMPANY WILLING TO JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS ADOPTING THE PRINCIPLES OF HUGH’S LAW?
It’s never you is calling on businesses like yours to take meaningful action by introducing their own policies and support, aligned with Hugh’s Law.
By doing so, you can help ensure employees facing the serious or terminal illness of a child receive the compassion, protection and time they need during the most challenging moments of their lives.
Together, we can make hugh’s law a reality. Now is the time to act.
INTRODUCING YOUR OWN POLICY AND SUPPORT IN 4 STEPS
CONSULTATION
1.
Speak with a member of the ‘It’s Never You’ team to discuss how to adopt the principles of Hugh’s law. Full Implementation support is available.
POLICY CREATION
2.
Draft a ‘Hugh’s Law’ policy (template provided) including eligibility, verification process, job protection and pay (minimum of £187 per week, or enhanced pay/support)
INTRODUCE A CONSULTANT
3.
Have a form available so a medical professional can verify an employee’s eligibility for support (template provided).
ROLL OUT & TRAINING
4.
Include the policy in your staff handbook and induction. Train line managers to understand the policy, why it matters and how best to support an eligible team member.
JOIN THE GROWING NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS:
