Neonatal care leave and pay

Implementation date: Expected April 2025

The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act entitles eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks' neonatal care leave if their baby requires neonatal care. They will also be entitled to neonatal care pay if they meet further eligibility requirements. This entitlement is in addition to existing entitlements such as maternity leave.

Regulations are required to bring the Act into force. 

The previous Conservative Government indicated that it planned to introduce neonatal leave in April 2025. It is not yet known if the Labour Government will adhere to this timetable.