Pregnancy Blog
UK to Introduce Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage Before 24 Weeks
Rachael Kirkwood
In a landmark move, the UK Government has announced plans to introduce bereavement leave for parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks. This long-overdue legal change is part of the updated Employment Rights Bill and is expected to come into effect in 2027.
Currently, statutory bereavement leave in the UK only applies after a stillbirth (from 24 weeks) or the death of a child under 18. This excludes the estimated 250,000 families each year who experience earlier pregnancy loss without any legal right to time off work or space to grieve (The Guardian)
Under the new proposals, parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks will be entitled to:
- A minimum of one week of protected bereavement leave
- Leave available to both parents (not just the birthing parent)
- A public consultation to determine if leave should be paid, and for how long
- Campaigners, including the Miscarriage Association, are advocating for at least five days of paid leave, with clear access for all affected parents.
The amendment was introduced by MP Sarah Owen and has been publicly supported by senior Labour politicians. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner stated:
“No one who is going through the heartbreak of pregnancy loss should have to go back to work before they are ready.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds added:
“Grief doesn’t follow a timetable. This ensures families get the time they need.”
The Miscarriage Association called the change “a hugely important step forward” in recognising that pregnancy loss is not just a medical event but an emotional and psychological trauma. Read more from them here.
Journalist Louisa Sherlock, who miscarried at nine weeks, shared her story of returning to work immediately after the loss:
“I had to walk out of the loos… sit back at my desk… and carry on as though nothing had happened.”
(The Times)
Stories like hers have highlighted the deep emotional toll of miscarriage and the need for workplace compassion.
The new law is expected to take full effect by 2027. Before that, the government will carry out a consultation to decide:
- Whether the leave should be paid
- How long the leave should be
- What documentation (if any) will be required
View the employment rights bill
If you or someone you love has recently gone through a miscarriage, you are not alone. Support is available, both medically and emotionally. Here are some steps you can take:
Speak to your GP or midwife for physical and emotional care
Contact the Miscarriage Association for free resources, a helpline, and support groups
Explore additional support from charities like Sands and Tommy’s
Talk to your employer about compassionate or sick leave, even before the law is in place
Reach out to friends or family—sharing your story can help lighten the emotional load
This upcoming change in UK law is more than a policy update. It’s an important national acknowledgment that miscarriage is a profound loss. It gives families the dignity, time, and space they need to grieve and heal.
If this article has helped you or you believe someone else would benefit from reading it, please consider sharing it. Awareness is the first step in breaking the silence around pregnancy loss.
