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 ‍