Career Breaks: Parents of Seriously Ill Children — [Valerie Vaz in the Chair]

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 4:30 pm on 3 February 2025.

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Photo of Robbie Moore Robbie Moore Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) 4:30, 3 February 2025

Absolutely. That highlights the associated challenges for parents, and not only the financial ones that can unexpectedly be put on them, but the emotional challenges and anxiety-related issues. Whether the scenario involves a short-term care plan being put in place or something much longer, that anxiety is absolutely there and needs to be recognised.

As I was saying, a diagnosis for a child can come out of the blue, and a parent, of course, has to deal with it. They have no other choice but to make the situation work, and that can be incredibly difficult. Complexities will arise in the care programme of the child, no doubt, and it will be emotionally draining for all involved, but the parent has to get on with it. This injustice certainly resonates across the country.