Call for change in maternity leave rules for mothers diagnosed with cancer
Campaign led by Mummy's Star seeks to allow delay in maternity leave
A campaign is urging UK ministers to amend maternity leave laws to accommodate mothers diagnosed with cancer during or shortly after pregnancy.
Currently, maternity leave cannot be delayed in the UK, placing many new mothers in the difficult position of choosing between receiving cancer treatment and spending time with their newborn.
The initiative led by Mummy's Star, a charity founded by Pete Wallroth, seeks to enable mothers to defer maternity leave for up to a year post-birth. This proposal is being championed by former Health Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt, who describes it as a "no-brainer".
Pete Wallroth started the campaign after his wife, Mair, encountered challenges following her cancer diagnosis while pregnant. He reflected on Mair's experience:
"In the time that she was alive postnatally, I saw firsthand how much of an impact it had on her and her challenges of... the simplicity of being able to hold your baby without fear of running out of energy or feeling that you might drop baby.”
Peter expressed the emotional toll it took on him:
“And that from a partner's perspective is absolutely heartbreaking to watch somebody that you love... wanting to do all those things, but is so physically hampered out of their control from being able to do them."
Current situation
Statistics show that two women in the UK are diagnosed with cancer during or shortly after pregnancy every day, according to Mummy's Star. Studies indicate that one in every 1,000 pregnancies results in the discovery of cancer, a number that appears to be increasing.
If the legislation changes, approximately 700 mothers each year could benefit from deferred maternity leave, allowing them crucial time with their newborns while undergoing treatment.
Pete Wallroth speaks to the strong support behind the campaign:
"We have testimony upon testimony upon testimony from families saying, this makes me feel seen… this is what impacted me. These are the things I still grieve now, years down the line from my diagnosis because I wasn't able to do this.”
Campaign impact
The proposal has received cross-party support, endorsed by a parliamentary secretary to Sir Keir Starmer, Jon Pearce, along with other Labour MPs and members of the Liberal Democrats. Government officials have acknowledged the struggles faced by mothers diagnosed with cancer during maternity leave, emphasising the need for parental leave reforms.
The proposal draws inspiration from Ireland, where maternity leave deferral under such circumstances became permissible in 2024. Sir Jeremy Hunt points to the success of this policy in Ireland as evidence that similar legislation could work in the UK.
Mummy's Star believes modifying maternity leave for mothers with cancer could provide long-term savings for businesses by retaining women in the workforce after their treatment.
“And at its core, we're talking about a relatively small number of families on an annual basis. And we're not talking about huge amounts of money either in the grand scheme of things. So we know it's a change that is possible, but it would make an immeasurable amount of difference to the families that are actually affected," Pete Wallroth said.
The campaign continues to gather momentum and raise awareness about this critical issue.