Re: Hugh’s Law
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Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by it's never you. https://itsneveryou.com
Sir Stephen Timms
Minister for Social Security and Disability
Department of Work and Pensions
Caxton House
Tothill St
SW1H 9NA
13th January 2025
Re: Hugh’s Law
Dear Minister,
We are writing to you as a group of cross-party MPs to express our support for Ceri and
Frances Menai-Davis, bereaved parents and founders of the charity It’s Never You, and to
request a meeting to discuss the next steps in the campaign for the implementation of
Hugh’s Law. We know that you are already familiar with Hugh’s Law, having previously met
with Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis, alongside their MP Chris Hinchliff. Their tireless
advocacy following the tragic loss of their six-year-old son, Hugh, to cancer in 2021, has
shone a light on the immense challenges faced by families caring for critically ill children.
Their story, sadly, is not unique, and their campaign highlights the urgent need for reform in
this area.
Hugh’s Law is a proposal designed to address the gaps in the current system that leave
parents navigating both emotional and financial crises at an already overwhelming time.
Currently, families are met with limited and often delayed support through provisions such
as Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Universal Credit (UC), and unpaid parental leave. These
options are frequently inaccessible or insufficient, creating additional barriers for families
already under significant strain.
Hugh’s Law is straightforward: a time-limited, non-means-tested grant to ensure parents
can focus on their child’s care without facing immediate financial insecurity. By simplifying
the process this proposal would minimise bureaucracy while addressing a clear and urgent
need.
When a child is brought into this world there is a support system in place. Maternity pay
ensures that working parents who must pause working to care for small children around the
clock are not living without any income. Yet, when a child becomes so unwell that they
require long hospital stays, often in isolation, there is no safety net for the first 90 days after
diagnosis. Recent legislative advances, such as the Neonatal Care Act, have demonstrated
the value of prioritising family support during times of critical need, setting a strong
precedent for similar measures.
Jan 2025
We believe Hugh’s law will address the significant gap in the current system and provide
meaningful support to families when they need it most. Hugh’s Law has the potential to
transform the lives of thousands of families across the country and demonstrates a
practical, compassionate approach to tackling a real issue.
Please meet with Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis again, to explore how Hugh’s Law can be
implemented effectively to support these families. We would welcome the opportunity to
discuss this in further detail and work collaboratively on helping parents who have
struggled, are struggling and yet to struggle.
Thank you for considering this important matter
Yours sincerely, Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by it's never you. https://itsneveryou.com