Sir Jeremy Hunt demands urgent reform to UK maternity leave laws to allow women diagnosed with cancer around childbirth to postpone their leave, ensuring they receive vital treatment without sacrificing precious time with their newborns.
The Hidden Struggle of Mothers Diagnosed with Cancer During Pregnancy
Every day, two women discover they have cancer either during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth, according to the charity Mummy’s Star. Yet current UK law offers no flexibility for maternity leave timing, forcing mothers to choose between cancer treatment and bonding with their babies.
As Britain’s longest-serving health secretary, Sir Jeremy Hunt labels this legal gap a “no-brainer” to fix. Drawing from his personal battle with cancer and the devastating losses of his family members, Hunt highlights the urgency: “The longer you wait, the more people will suffer.”
Backing from Across the Political Spectrum
Sir Jeremy expressed confidence that a government-backed draft law or private member’s bill would encounter “zero opposition” in Parliament. The campaign has garnered strong cross-party support, including endorsements from key aides to the prime minister, Labour MPs, and Liberal Democrats.
How Common Is Cancer Diagnosis Around Pregnancy?
Research remains limited, but data from Macmillan Cancer Support estimates that approximately one in every 1,000 pregnancies results in a cancer diagnosis for the mother—with numbers steadily rising. This aligns with Mummy’s Star’s findings of at least two women diagnosed daily during or immediately after pregnancy.
A 2018 study in the US-based Journal of Global Oncology reported a slightly higher figure: one diagnosis per 800 pregnancies.
A Personal Fight Inspires a National Campaign
Campaign leader Pete Wallroth knows this battle intimately. His wife, Mair, was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant in June 2012. She gave birth two months later, but the cancer spread, and she tragically passed away that December.
“Mair’s diagnosis profoundly affected her early motherhood,” Wallroth told Sky News. “It’s unjust to penalize women simply because cancer struck during such a vulnerable time.”
Real Voices: Mothers Losing Maternity Leave to Cancer
Ashleigh Eccles, diagnosed with cancer shortly after giving birth in 2023, described the “immense grief” of losing her entire maternity leave to treatment. She frequently left her newborn with relatives while undergoing chemotherapy. “I missed out on that magical bonding time,” Eccles said, shocked to learn maternity leave could not be postponed.
Beth Dedman faced a similar ordeal after her Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in early 2024. Although her employers were supportive, they were uncertain how to handle her situation. “It felt like something was profoundly wrong,” she recalled. “No one knew that delaying maternity leave wasn’t even an option.”
Why Changing the Law Benefits Everyone
Wallroth argues the current rules force women out of the workforce prematurely. Many never return full-time, having missed critical early moments with their children. While reform carries short-term costs, it promises long-term savings by retaining experienced employees.
“Supporting women through deferred maternity leave boosts job retention,” Wallroth emphasized.
Addressing Treasury Concerns
As a former chancellor under Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, Sir Jeremy anticipates Treasury objections: “Why make an exception for cancer and not other illnesses?” He counters that compassionate societies must allow exceptions, and this case is a clear, sensible one.
Political Momentum Builds for Reform
Labour MP Jon Pearce, parliamentary private secretary to Sir Keir Starmer, has championed the cause after meeting campaigners in Parliament. He called the stories “heartbreaking” and emphasized that changing the law could benefit around 700 mothers annually.
Ireland has already enacted legislation allowing maternity leave deferral in specific cases, setting a precedent in 2024. Sir Jeremy points to this example as proof the change is feasible: “If a country can do it without disaster, it’s a strong signal this reform is sensible.”
Government Response and Future Steps
A spokesperson from the Department of Business and Trade acknowledged the devastating impact of cancer diagnoses during maternity leave. They highlighted the National Cancer Plan’s commitment to supporting pregnant and postnatal women with cancer, and confirmed that a parental leave review is underway to better support working families.
“Parents should spend time caring for their babies—this review aims to make that possible,” the spokesperson said.
