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.