Parents who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks will be given the right to bereavement leave, the Government has signalled.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Business Minister Justin Madders said he ‘fully accepts’ the move in principle.
The Government will look at including the policy change in the Employment Rights Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament.
At the moment, parents are only entitled to bereavement leave if they lose a baby to stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Mr Madders said: “Bereavement is not an illness, it’s not a holiday and it does need its own special category.”
He said he was grateful to the Women and Equalities Committee, whose report last month called for the introduction of bereavement leave after pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
“The loss of a baby at any stage is an incredibly difficult personal experience and the inquiry they conducted demonstrated a clear gap in support for those who experience pregnancy loss and need time to recover and grieve.”
Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said:
“We warmly welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring people have the right to time off work after experiencing a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
“This can be a heartbreaking time and we know it will mean so much to so many who have not had their grief properly acknowledged.
“Women and birthing people and their partners will not ‘recover’ within days or even weeks of this type of loss, but bereavement leave will allow them some time to heal and grieve without fear of negative consequences at work.
“As the details of this new policy come under scrutiny in Parliament over the coming weeks and months, we’ll continue to push for the most effective possible change for those who need it.
“We’re proud to have worked alongside campaigners and organisations such as the Miscarriage Association, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and NHS England towards this significant moment.”
