Overview:
In the last few months the UK Government announced an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, granting bereavement leave to families experiencing pregnancy loss at any stage. If the amendment makes it to law, this will mark a major expansion of statutory rights and aims to provide compassionate support to grieving families.
Previous Legislation:
Before this amendment, statutory Parental Bereavement Leave is only available to:
- Parents who lost a child under 18.
- Families experiencing stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Key Changes Introduced:
Bereavement leave would now be extended to include pregnancy loss at any stage, including early-stage miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies. This change would expect to benefit around 250,000 employees annually who are affected by early pregnancy loss. The amendment aligns these cases with existing bereavement leave entitlements. The proposed change would be one week’s unpaid leave. However, the exact length is still being consulted on.
Bereavement Entitlement Details:
- Duration: Up to 2 weeks of paid leave.
- Start Date: Leave can begin on or after the date of death or stillbirth.
- Statutory Pay: Employees are entitled to either:
- £187.18 per week, or
- 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
- Eligibility: Employees must earn at least £125.00 per week on average to qualify for statutory pay.
Impact and Significance:
This reform is part of the Government’s Plan for Change, aiming to restore dignity and security in the workplace. It acknowledges that grief from pregnancy loss is profound, regardless of gestational stage. The amendment was championed by MP Sarah Owen, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, and received cross-party support.
