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Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill - Sitting 1

07 September 2022

Proposing MP
Hannah Bardell SNP
Livingston
Type
Public Bill Committee

At a Glance

Issue Summary

MP Hannah Bardell discusses amendments to Clause 1 of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill. The statement discusses amendments to the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill, which aims to provide paid leave for parents whose babies require neonatal care. The statement discusses the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill and addresses concerns about qualifying criteria for neonatal care pay and the timeline for implementation. The statement addresses the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill, which aims to provide leave and pay for parents whose children are in neonatal care. The statement thanks all parties for their involvement in progressing the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill.

Action Requested

The amendments aim to exclude provisions amending or repealing Acts from the scope of power in clause 2, modify subsections to align with statutory family pay entitlements, and provide for the 'relevant week' in determining eligibility for statutory neonatal care pay.

Key Facts

  • Amendments 1-3 relate to excluding provisions amending or repealing Acts.
  • Amendment 4 provides definitions for the 'relevant week' under different conditions of statutory family pay entitlements.
  • The amendments are proposed alongside clauses 2 and 3.
  • The Bill provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave for parents whose babies require neonatal care.
  • Parents must have a continuous stay in hospital or other agreed care setting of seven full days or more.
  • Statutory neonatal care pay is available within at least a 68-week window following the child’s birth.
  • Amendment 4 changes the qualifying criteria for neonatal care pay to align with maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
  • The MP expresses concern about an 18-month delay in implementing the Bill after Royal Assent, which could lead to implementation in 2025.
  • The Bill has a budget line of £15 million from a previous Budget.
  • The Government support the measures in the Bill.
  • HMRC systems need updating which could take about 18 months post-Royal Assent.
  • A Henry VIII power is proposed to be removed and replaced with a power to amend secondary legislation only.
  • Amendment 4 addresses the relevant week for calculating pay.
  • The speaker acknowledges the quick passage of the historic Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill.
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