Speaking in Parliament during the announcement of a review into parental leave and pay entitlements across the UK, Ms Lockhart welcomed the Government’s commitment but pressed the Minister to ensure that premature births are given special attention in the review process.

 “Everyone will know that I want to see life-affirming laws restored to the United Kingdom,” Ms Lockhart said in the chamber. “Therefore, underpinning the birth of a child with adequate parental leave is of the utmost importance, given the important needs before and after birth. I asked the Minister to ensure that the review looks specifically at premature births and at protecting parents of premmie babies from being disadvantaged and I also called for this learning to be shared with Northern Ireland so we too can make progress.”

In response, Minister Justin Madders confirmed the Government’s intent to work with all devolved nations on such matters and expressed hope that any improvements would be “spread throughout the nation.”

Following the exchange, Ms Lockhart reaffirmed her call for action in Northern Ireland:

“I welcome the review, but it is vital that Northern Ireland does not lag behind. Parents of premature babies are already under immense emotional and physical strain. Their leave and financial support should reflect those pressures, not penalise them further. I will be urging the Northern Ireland Executive to act on this once the review’s findings are published and ensure families here are given the support and dignity they deserve.”

Ms Lockhart, a long-time advocate for family-focused policy and pro-life values, said that improving parental leave for premature births was “a moral and practical issue” that deserves cross-party consensus and swift implementation UK-wide.