Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025
Introduction
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which was enacted on January 17, 2025, introduces a new statutory right to neonatal leave and pay for employed parents of premature or sick babies in the United Kingdom. These regulations mark the commencement of the entitlement to neonatal leave and pay.
Key Provisions
- Entitlement: Employed parents of a baby born prematurely (before 37 weeks) or who is admitted to a neonatal unit for at least 7 days are entitled to neonatal leave and pay.
- Duration: Parents can take up to 12 weeks of neonatal leave, with a minimum of 2 consecutive weeks. Leave can be taken flexibly, either as a single block or in multiple periods.
- Pay: Parents will receive 90% of their average weekly earnings during the first 6 weeks of leave, and statutory maternity, paternity, or adoption pay for the remaining 6 weeks.
- Eligibility: To be eligible for neonatal leave and pay, parents must have at least 26 weeks of continuous employment with the same employer and must have informed their employer of their intention to take leave at least 8 weeks before the baby’s due date or, if the baby is born prematurely or admitted to a neonatal unit, within 7 days of the birth or admission.
Commencement Date
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025 came into force on April 1, 2025. This means that parents who meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to take neonatal leave and receive pay from this date onwards.
Impact
The introduction of neonatal leave and pay is expected to have a significant impact on working parents of premature or sick babies. It provides them with the opportunity to bond with their baby, support their recovery, and reduce the financial burden associated with caring for a newborn with additional needs. It is also likely to promote equality in the workplace by ensuring that both parents have the opportunity to share caring responsibilities for their vulnerable child.
Additional Information
- The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 also includes provisions for extending the period of neonatal leave in exceptional circumstances.
- Further guidance on the entitlements and how to apply for neonatal leave and pay can be found on the government’s website.
- Employees who believe they have been discriminated against or treated unfairly because of taking neonatal leave should contact the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
UK New Legislation a new article on 2025-01-17 09:18 titled “The Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2025”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
93