Plans for neonatal leave and leave for unpaid carers

In 2019, the government consulted on a new right to neonatal leave and pay, which the Johnson administration promised to implement in a new Employment Bill (which is currently stalled), together with “one week’s additional leave for unpaid carers”. If implemented, the new right will be aimed at parents and prospective adopters or surrogate parents of babies who spend a minimum of two continuous weeks in neonatal care immediately after the birth. No service would be required to qualify for the leave but the right to pay (at the prevailing statutory rate) would require the usual 26 weeks’ service.