Thousands of UK households with babies in neonatal care are being granted extra time off work as a new day-one right.

       The government has said the new rule regarding neonatal care leave and pay will take effect from April 6 this year, subject to Parliamentary approval.

       The working right is expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents and will ensure they are able to focus on supporting their new family without having to choose between keeping their job and spending time with their baby.

       Labour has said the move delivers on its Plan for Change by supporting working families and protecting working people’s payslips.

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       Under current rules, many working families have to return to work while their babies are sick in hospital or use up their remaining annual leave to delay going back.

       But the new rule will allow parents to stay by their child’s side without having to work throughout or use up their existing leave.

       Neonatal Care Leave will apply to parents of babies who are admitted into neonatal care up to 28 days old and who have a continuous stay in hospital of seven full days or longer.

       The measures will allow those who are eligible to take up to 12 weeks of leave - and, in eligible, pay - on top of any other leave they may be entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave.

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       Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said: “Parents of children in neonatal care have more than enough to worry about without being concerned about how much annual leave they have left or whether they’ll be able to make ends meet.

       “This entitlement will deliver certainty to them and their employers, setting baseline protections that give them the peace of mind to look after the one thing that matters most – their newborn baby.”

       The government has confirmed that Neonatal Care Leave will be a day one right, meaning it will be available to an employee from their first day in a new job.

       Alongside the leave entitlement, Statutory Neonatal Care Pay will be available to those who meet continuity of service requirements and a minimum earnings threshold.