Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Terms and Conditions of Employment 2025-02-11

11 February 2025 · 9 other contributors

Opened by Justin Madders Lab/Co-op Ellesmere Port and Neston

EmploymentNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Justin Madders raised concerns about terms and conditions of employment 2025-02-11 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Madders moved regulations under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 to establish statutory entitlements for neonatal care leave and pay.
  • The Act enables eligible parents to take a minimum of one week's leave and a maximum of 12 weeks depending on their child's care duration.
  • Madders outlined employer responsibilities and protections against redundancy for employees on neonatal care leave.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Justin Madders Lab/Co-op Ellesmere Port and Neston

Madders moved regulations under the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023, which established new statutory entitlements to neonatal care leave and pay for employed parents if their child starts to receive neonatal care within 28 days of birth and goes on to spend seven or more continuous days in care. Madders stated that the Act is a step towards implementing neonatal care leave and pay in April 2025, which will enable eligible parents to take a minimum of one week’s leave and a maximum of 12 weeks’ leave depending on how long their baby receives neonatal care.

Other contributors (9)
  • Chris Vince Lab/Co-op Harlow

    Vince agreed with Madders that the changes will support parents during a difficult time and also be beneficial for employers, as family-friendly policies can help retain employees’ skills and knowledge.

  • Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire

    Smith welcomed the introduction of these two statutory instruments, supporting neonatal care leave because it aligns with their manifesto commitment made in 2019. He acknowledged the Act's origin but expressed support with reservations.

  • Chris Vince Con

    The shadow Minister talks about targets, but it was his own government that got rid of the A&E waiting times targets and failed to meet them. This raises questions about their credibility.

  • Jen Craft Lab Thurrock

    I commend the introduction of neonatal leave and pay as a much-needed support for new families. It will remove the impossible choice between returning to work or staying beside an ill child, vital for parents' mental wellbeing and early life chances of babies in NICUs.

  • Steve Darling LD Torbay

    We welcome these regulations as a necessary step forward. They are the result of a private Member's Bill sponsored by Tim Farron, addressing an issue Conservatives promised but failed to deliver on.

  • Liz Jarvis LD Eastleigh

    While welcoming this legislation, we must acknowledge that more needs to be done for maternity and neonatal services. We need more midwives, nurses, and support for families experiencing traumatic births and baby loss. Mental health difficulties among parents can be as high as 70%, requiring expanded access to NHS mental health support.

  • Jen Craft Con Thurrock

    Spoke movingly about Isla’s experiences in neonatal care, highlighting her survival against a 2% chance of survival and celebrating her seventh birthday. This demonstrates the success of neonatal units nurturing precious lives.

  • Steve Darling LD Torbay

    Emphasised the importance of parental attachment in a child's development, stressing that more must be done to support this area.

  • Liz Jarvis Lab Eastleigh

    Made points about the new children and mother unit at Countess of Chester hospital being built, showing investment in improving neonatal care services.

Government Response

Justin Madders

Madders explained that these regulations will provide statutory entitlement to neonatal care leave and pay, ensuring parents can take time off work when their child requires extended hospital stay. He outlined the eligibility criteria, payment details, employer responsibilities, and protections against redundancy for those on such leave.

Shadow Response

Greg Smith

Smith welcomed the measures with reservations, highlighting past Conservative commitments to neonatal care leave and emphasising their support of previous improvements to workers’ rights under the Conservatives' government, including shared parental leave and carers leave. Critiqued the regulations as churlish and criticised the timing of their introduction, given that similar measures were included in their manifesto but not implemented. Blamed potential job losses on employment rights legislation before its passage.

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