MPs call for paid bereavement leave after pregnancy loss

A House of Commons committee says all women and birthing people who lose a baby before 24 weeks, and their partners, should be entitled to two weeks’ leave.

All women and birthing people who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy, and their partners, should be entitled to two weeks’ paid bereavement leave, a committee of MPs has recommended.

A report out today from the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee says there is an ‘overwhelming’ case for changing the law to end differences in the way employers treat people affected by pregnancy loss.

The MPs are urging the Government to introduce the right to two weeks’ paid bereavement leave as part of its Employment Rights Bill, which was introduced into the House of Commons last October and is expected to make its way through Parliament in 2025.

The Women and Equalities Committee says the leave should be available to those who experience miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, in vitro fertilisation embryo transfer loss, and terminations for medical reasons.

The MPs say although there has been progress recently towards recognising the impact of loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy – including the introduction of the baby loss certificate scheme – it does not go far enough.  

Their report says expecting employees to use sick leave to take time off after a pregnancy loss is “inappropriate and inadequate”.

And it calls on the Government to ensure that "all those who experience the physical and emotional pain and grief of pregnancy and baby loss are able to access the support they need".

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said:

“We fully support the introduction of paid bereavement leave for all women and birthing people who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks, and their partners.

“We’re proud to have worked alongside campaigners and organisations such as The Miscarriage Association, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and NHS England towards that goal and we’re delighted to see it recommended by the Women and Equalities Committee.

"For too many women and birthing people, and their partners, the psychological and physical impact of pregnancy loss is compounded by pressure to return to work immediately and a lack of time to grieve in the days and weeks afterwards.

“It is unacceptable that sickness absence often remains the only option, potentially leaving women and their partners financially vulnerable and at risk of workplace discrimination.

“We hope the Government will respond quickly and positively to the committee’s recommendations and introduce this measure into law.”

Last year, NHS England announced that staff who experience a miscarriage will be able to take up to ten days of additional paid leave under new national guidance.

The NHS Trusts that follow this guidance will also allow partners of those who go through a miscarriage to take up to five days of paid leave.

The change followed a pilot project at Birmingham Women and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust - supported by Tommy’s through our Pregnancy and Parenting at Work scheme.