LONDON — The United Kingdom government has launched a public consultation regarding proposals that include financial support and employment protections for parents becoming full-time carers for seriously ill children. The proposals are known as Hugh's law.
Hugh's law is named after Hugh Menai-Davis, who died in 2021 at the age of six after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. His parents, Ceri Menai-Davis and Frances Menai-Davis, launched a campaign advocating for employment protections. Hugh underwent ten months of intensive medical treatment.
Employment rights minister Kate Dearden announced the launch of the public consultation. Dearden said, "Whether you’re caring for an elderly parent, a partner with a long-term illness, or a child fighting a serious disease, you shouldn’t have to choose between your job and those you love."
The proposals include a right to paid leave for caregivers and a statutory right to return to work after a period of intensive caregiving. These measures would grant eligible parents a legal right to take time off work during acute family medical crises and would align with existing regulations for premature birth and bereavement leave.
Annually, an estimated 11,000 children in the United Kingdom experience serious health conditions that require substantial parental care. Approximately 4,000 families each year experience hospital stays lasting at least two months that require parents to remain with their children.
Ceri Menai-Davis commented on the initial experience with his son's diagnosis. He stated, "When Hugh was diagnosed with cancer, our world stopped overnight. We quickly discovered that whilst there is a framework to support the child through treatment, there is very little support for the parents standing beside them."
Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, also addressed the current challenges faced by caregivers. Walker said, "Too many carers currently have no choice but to reduce their hours or leave work altogether because workplace support and employment rights do not reflect the realities of caring." The campaign for Hugh's law is administered by the organization Its Never You.
Other countries provide various forms of caregiver support. Sweden offers employees 120 days of paid leave annually to care for sick children. California provides eight weeks of paid family leave, while Canada offers 35 weeks of caregiver benefits. France provides up to 310 days of financially assisted leave for caregivers.