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Parental Leave and Parental Pay

Asked by Paula BarkerLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 23 February 2026UIN 113190

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on publicising entitlement to Neonatal Care Pay and Leave in hospitals and other health settings to parents who could potentially be eligible.

Answered by Kate Dearden

Neonatal Care Leave and Pay was introduced in April 2025 and as part of its introduction, my department has made strong efforts to raise awareness of the new entitlement to ensure eligible parents can access it. Charities, including Bliss, have supported the department with publicising the entitlement to parents in hospitals and other health settings. The entitlement has already been used by thousands of employees to support them through one of the most challenging times a parent can find themselves in.

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