Historic Commons announcement puts children’s allergy safety on a legal footing

Press release shared on behalf of the National Allergy Strategy Group, of which Anaphylaxis UK is a member

The National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG) welcomes last night’s House of Commons debate, in which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, Olivia Bailey, announced that the Government will put Benedict’s law on the statute book through its own amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This will require schools to have and publish an allergy safety policy, and to give powers to the Secretary of State to make regulations relating to allergy safety.

This is a landmark moment for children/young people and their families living with serious allergies across the UK. The decision to move from non-binding guidance to clear legal requirements will help prevent avoidable, life-threatening reactions and give families greater confidence that their children are safe at school.

For years, clinicians, patient charities and families have highlighted the inconsistency of allergy provision in schools. While some schools have excellent systems in place, others lack basic measures such as staff training or access to emergency adrenaline to treat anaphylaxis. The Government has now recognised that a child’s safety should not depend on their postcode, or on how proactive an individual teacher happens to be.

Benedict’s Law asks for every school to have spare adrenaline devices to treat anaphylaxis emergencies, allergy-trained staff and a practical, whole-school policy to help keep pupils with allergies safe. The Government has now committed to legislation to ensure this happens, and is a tribute to the campaign by Helen and Peter Blythe after their son Benedict died from anaphylaxis in December 2021 – just one of the many deaths in the last 20 years from allergy that could have been avoided.

Professor Paul Turner, Professor of Anaphylaxis at Imperial College London, speaking on
behalf of the National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG), said:
“Last night’s announcement marks a turning point for children with serious allergies and
their families. Statutory guidance alone is not enough. With the upcoming amended,
these safeguards will be legally enforceable and help ensure government funding so
that schools can deliver them consistently. Every child will be equally protected, and
every school properly supported.”

Helen Blythe, of the Benedict Blythe Foundation, commented:
“This is the first primary legislation in the UK focussed on allergy and signifies how those
in Government are now taking allergy seriously. Knowing that schools will be legally
required to have proper allergy policies, staff training and emergency medication gives
us hope that Benedict’s legacy will be safer classrooms across the country. I said
before: Benedict’s life mattered. His death must matter too. Now it will, with all children
living with allergy being safer in school.”

NASG members, which include the 3 major national allergy charities together with the
British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology, have been campaigning on school
allergy safety for decades, and the current campaign is a key part of the overall National
Allergy Strategy, which will be launched on 20th April 2026.

The NASG look forward to seeing the text of the proposed amendment, with
confirmation from the Government of sufficient funding and resources so schools can
meet their new duties without diverting support from other vulnerable pupils.

With the addition of Helen and Peter Blythe’s voices since Benedict’s tragic death, we
have been able to work collaboratively, which has made us stronger than ever. The
result is something the whole allergy community can celebrate together. We truly
appreciate the government’s willingness to listen, and we look forward to seeing more
change across health and other sectors to continue our mission to improve policy for
those who suffer with allergy.

For further information please contact:
Pauline Kent of Satellite Health: 01603 978030 or email
pauline@satellite-health.com