Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Introduce statutory paid leave for 1 parent if child too ill for school/nursery
Closed
1,308 signatures
What the petition asks
We call on the UK Government to give one parent per household a statutory right to paid leave when their child is too ill to attend nursery or school, with pay and requirements equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
All UK families with children face this challenge.
Women carry a disproportionate burden as mothers disproportionately care for children when sick.
Several other countries show this is possible, providing statutory paid leave to parents when children are off sick.
Without paid leave, parents face stress, financial hardship, and risk to employment.
Statutory paid leave would support child wellbeing, protect families financially, and promote gender equality.
Women carry a disproportionate burden as mothers disproportionately care for children when sick.
Several other countries show this is possible, providing statutory paid leave to parents when children are off sick.
Without paid leave, parents face stress, financial hardship, and risk to employment.
Statutory paid leave would support child wellbeing, protect families financially, and promote gender equality.
Timeline
| 19 Dec 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 19 Jun 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
1,308
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
19 Dec 2025
Closed
19 Jun 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 1 Aug 2026.