The Department for Business and Trade have published a press release confirming that a day one right to neonatal leave for working families with babies in neonatal care will be introduced from 6th April this year.

This news follows the passing of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act in 2023.

Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of 7 full days or longer. These measures will allow eligible parents to take up to 12 weeks of leave on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave. Alongside the leave entitlement, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.

The government has laid regulations to implement the change which, subject to Parliamentary approval, will take effect from 6th April 2025.