PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Statutory paid leave for parents whose child is undergoing cancer treatment
I’d like the Government to provide statutory paid leave, in the same way as maternity and paternity leave, for parents whose child is diagnosed with cancer and need to assist them with their care.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
1,519
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 1,519/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 1,519/100,000
Background
A diagnosis of childhood cancer is extremely distressing and can turn a parent’s life upside down and redefine structure to daily life. Currently the Government assists with maternity leave to assist with maternal recovery and childhood bonding, and I would argue that a dying child deserves the same consideration for medical treatment, recovery and bonding. I feel work commitments and finances are making this untenable. The Government has already invested in covering travel costs from 2027.