Introduce statutory paid leave for 1 parent if child too ill for school/nursery

We call on the UK Government to give one parent per household a statutory right to paid leave when their child is too ill to attend nursery or school, with pay and requirements equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

377 Signatures

Status
Open
Opened
Friday 19th December 2025
Last 24 hours signatures
204
Signature Deadline
Friday 19th June 2026
Estimated Final Signatures: 2,706

Reticulating Splines

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All UK families with children face this challenge.

Women carry a disproportionate burden as mothers disproportionately care for children when sick.

Several other countries show this is possible, providing statutory paid leave to parents when children are off sick.

Without paid leave, parents face stress, financial hardship, and risk to employment.

Statutory paid leave would support child wellbeing, protect families financially, and promote gender equality.


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Reticulating Splines