Easington MP Grahame Morris has written to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle MP, urging the government to take decisive action in support of Hugh’s Law, a proposed change to provide parents of seriously ill children with support from day one.

The letter backed by over 150 MPs and Lords, marks a significant moment in the campaign led by the It’s Never You charity.

The letter welcomes the government’s recent announcement of a stand-alone consultation on support for families facing the unimaginable challenge of caring for a seriously ill child, and calls for greater clarity and commitment, including:

• Co-production of the consultation’s terms with the It’s Never You campaign
• A clear timeframe for the consultation process
• A commitment to legislate for Hugh’s Law in the next King’s Speech
• A roadmap for implementation of any resulting legislation

Hugh’s Law would introduce a non-means tested benefit for parents of seriously ill children, filling a critical gap in the current welfare system. While support exists for new parents through maternity and paternity leave, there is no bespoke provision for families facing long-term or life-threatening childhood illness—except for the limited Neonatal Care Act, which applies only in a child’s earliest days.

As the letter states, the welfare system “should respond not to the timing of illness, but to the reality of need.” It adds: “The campaign for Hugh’s Law goes to the heart of what our welfare state must provide: a safety net people can rely on in moments of crisis.”

Grahame Morris MP said: “Parents of seriously ill children face unimaginable emotional and financial pressures. While caring for a sick child, no parent should have to worry about how they will manage to keep food on the table or a roof over their head.

Hugh’s Law is about closing that gap in our welfare system and ensuring families receive immediate support when they need it most, not weeks or months later. I welcome the government’s consultation as an important step forward, but it must lead to meaningful change and swift legislation to deliver the security and compassion families deserve.”

Chris Hinchliff MP who organised the letter said: “Hugh’s Law is about compassion, dignity, and fairness. No parent should be forced to choose between financial survival and being at their child’s bedside. Our welfare system must respond to moments of crisis with immediate, unconditional support.

“The government’s consultation is a welcome step, but we must get the details right and implement Hugh’s Law as soon as realistically possible.”

Ceri Menai-Davies, Co-Founder, It’s Never You said: “I’m incredibly moved by the support we’ve received, over 150 MPs and Peers have now joined us in calling for change and for consultation into Hugh’s law to be acted upon and to be legislated upon. To see that level of compassion and unity gives me real hope. This letter represents more than signatures, it represents a shared belief that parents of seriously ill children deserve better. I’m proud of how far we’ve come and this is only the beginning.”

The campaign has gained widespread public and parliamentary support, with MPs from across the political spectrum joining the call for urgent reform.