Douglas Alexander MP has welcomed the Government’s introduction of new measures to give employees in East Lothian and across the UK the right to bereavement leave, delivering greater security and fairness at work.
People who lose a loved one or experience the heartbreak of pregnancy loss, will gain new rights to take time off work under major changes confirmed by the Government today [Tuesday 22 September].
After years of inconsistency and confusion about protections they might be entitled to, grieving employees in East Lothian will no longer have to fight for time to recover from loss. Kate Dearden, the Minister of State for the Future of Work, will introduce a new legal right to bereavement leave, from April 2027, for employees who lose a spouse or partner, parent, adult child or sibling.
The Minister will also introduce measures to expand Parental Bereavement Leave to women and their partners, including intended parents in surrogacy arrangements, who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks – including miscarriage, terminations and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers – will be entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid leave.
This gives people the necessary time and security to grieve during one of the hardest moments in their lives. This announcement will also bring the UK’s laws into the 21st century as it will also include step, half, adoptive, kinship care and foster relationships who currently have no legal right to bereavement leave.
These fundamental changes fill a vital gap in employment law that mean employees are only able to take bereavement leave at employer discretion, recognising that every family deserves the time and space to mourn the people they love, and that Parental Bereavement Leave must be extended to those who are currently excluded.
This leave can be taken flexibly within 56 weeks of the loss, including as single days, enabling workers to grieve in the way that works for them. No one will be asked or required to provide evidence of their loss, helping to protect employees’ privacy and dignity at a deeply distressing time.
Commenting on the new rights, Douglas Alexander MP said:
“Behind every loss is a family that deserves time to heal and that time to grieve shouldn’t depend on where you work. That’s why this Labour Government is delivering a new legal right to bereavement leave for all employees.
“These changes will deliver real security and breathing room for families in East Lothian, giving them the right to grieve their loss in the way that is best for them.”
Minister of State for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, said:
“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.”
Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage UK Chief Executive, said:
“We welcome today’s announcement that bereavement leave for pre-24-week pregnancy loss will become law in April 2027, with an increased minimum of two weeks’ leave and an entitlement that recognises partners, too.
“This is an important step in recognising pregnancy loss as a bereavement and the profound impact it can have, and we hope will provide a baseline for employers to go further. We still strongly believe bereavement leave should be paid, and we will continue to press for this through our Leave for Every Loss campaign.
“We will continue work with Government to ensure the detail and guidance provide meaningful and compassionate support for everyone affected by pregnancy loss.”
Pregnancy loss changes build on the existing right to Parental Bereavement Leave for parents who experience a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy or the death of a child under 18. The government is currently undertaking a wider, comprehensive review of the parental leave and pay system including on areas such as ‘Hugh’s Law’ and the rights of parents with terminally ill children.