If you are the mother or father of a baby, the partner of a person giving birth, or an adoptive parent, you can have a proxy vote for a maximum of one month before the due date or adoption date and a maximum of six months after the due date or adoption date. If you have experienced miscarriage or baby loss, complications relating to childbirth or pregnancy, or you require an extended absence for fertility treatment, you can apply for up to seven months in the first instance, with any extension subject to agreement by the Speaker.
A serious long-term illness or injury proxy voting arrangement can last for a minimum of one month and a maximum of seven months in the first instance. At the end of the seven-month period, the Speaker may grant a single time-limited extension. You will need to submit a further statement from a hospital consultant to the Parliamentary Health and Wellbeing Service.
Any period for which you suspend the proxy arrangement will count towards the maximum time the arrangement can apply.