Andy Burnham has issued a new message to people affected by baby and pregnancy loss to mark a national awareness week, ahead of a major change in the law.
The Government announced last month that bereavement leave rights will be amended to include early pregnancy loss as well as a broad range of relationships.
Law change from April
The 2025 Employment Rights Act introduced a new right to unpaid leave for employees who experience the loss of a loved one. But from next April, this will include women and their partners who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
This includes miscarriage, a termination and an unsuccessful IVF embryo transfer and will entitle people to up to two weeks of unpaid time off work.
This is in addition to the existing right to leave for parents who experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, or the death of a child under 18.
Prime Minister's commitment
The Prime Minister has confirmed his commitment to the law change in a post on his social media channels today (October 12) to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
"I want to recognise the heartbreak that baby and pregnancy loss causes parents and families across the UK," he said.
"I will be thinking of everyone who has suffered such a devastating loss this week. And I want to do more to help.
"Right now, if you lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks, you have no legal right to bereavement leave. I'm changing that.
"From April, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks leave following any pregnancy loss. I know this isn’t perfect and I want to do more.
"But this first step will establish a basic right that everyone can rely on. It is a legal minimum, and I urge employers to go further, including offering paid leave where they can.
"As well as this, improving maternity care is a priority for me. So we're driving urgent action to raise standards through the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which will deliver the reforms needed to ensure the very highest standards of safety and care for every mother and baby.
"A new action plan will be published by the end of the year to hold the system to account. We're also investing more in maternity care in general, and extending Martha's Rule to every ward.
"To everyone carrying the pain of baby or pregnancy loss, please know that your grief matters, and you are not alone."
Extended rights
The right to bereavement leave will also be extended to workers who lose a spouse or partner, parent, adult child or sibling. Step and half relatives will be included as well as adoptive and kinship care and foster relationships, which currently have no legal protection regarding leave.
Work minister Kate Dearden said at the time the law was announced: “No-one should have to fight for time to grieve. These changes back people going through some of the hardest moments of life, whoever they are and wherever they work.
“I want to thank the campaigners whose courage and testimonies have made this change happen.”
