Benedict's Law

Following the death of five-year-old Benedict Blythe from an allergic reaction at school, the Benedict Blythe Foundation led the campaign for Benedict's Law – the most significant improvement in school allergy safety ever undertaken in England.

The campaign united families, clinicians, charities, educators and parliamentarians behind a shared call for change. Together, the coalition produced policy papers, open letters and parliamentary briefings, while families shared lived experiences of the realities of living with allergy. Children wrote handwritten letters to Downing Street, and two national petitions each attracted more than 13,000 signatures, demonstrating widespread public support for reform. By combining compelling personal stories with robust evidence from inquests, freedom of information requests and clinical expertise, the campaign built an undeniable case for action.

In 2026, Benedict's Law became the first legislation in England to explicitly recognise allergy in primary legislation. The reforms will make daily life safer for 680,000+ pupils with allergies and drive training for at least 1.15 million adults working in education settings. The legislation establishes a new national framework for allergy safety, including allergy policies, staff training, individual healthcare planning and emergency preparedness.

The campaign has become the largest allergy public awareness and policy initiative ever undertaken in the UK. Its influence is already extending internationally, with Lithuania introducing similar reforms and policymakers across the UK drawing on the principles established by Benedict's Law.

What began as one family's determination to prevent another child dying from an avoidable allergic reaction has delivered lasting change for families.