Petitions/Provide day 1 financial support to parents caring for a seriously ill child
StatusClosed
Opened29 Jan 2025
Closes29 Jul 2025
Government responseResponded
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones 10,000

We are calling on the government to implement Hugh's law. We want the government to provide financial support to parents who have to press pause on their life to look after their sick child, from the day their child is diagnosed.

Parents often struggle for financial support should they find themselves with a seriously ill child. There is a gap before parents of seriously ill children can apply for financial help. Currently, approximately 4,000 children in the UK spend more than 60 days in hospital every year. If the government were to provide support to those 4,000 parents each year for a 3 month period to support them with the costs before they are eligible for DLA, we don't think it would cost the government much compared to what is spent on other things. We are asking for a day 1 non-means tested grant available for the parents of seriously ill children.

19,396Total signatures
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Government response

We recognise the difficulties faced by parents of ill children and a range of financial support is available. The government has no plans to introduce a day 1 non-means tested grant.

Constituency engagement ranking

Richard Foord
1Richard Foord MP
Honiton and Sidmouth
364
Jen Craft
2Jen Craft MP
Thurrock
193
Kevin Bonavia
3Kevin Bonavia MP
Stevenage
186
Alison Bennett
4Alison Bennett MP
Mid Sussex
178
Lee Barron
5Lee Barron MP
Corby and East Northamptonshire
159
Alistair Strathern
6Alistair Strathern MP
Hitchin
150
Andrew Lewin
7Andrew Lewin MP
Welwyn Hatfield
138
Chris Hinchliff
8Chris Hinchliff MP
North East Hertfordshire
136
Anna Dixon
9Anna Dixon MP
Shipley
136
Steve Yemm
10Steve Yemm MP
Mansfield
126