Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory minimum of paid bereavement leave for employees whose parent or parental figure has died.

The government has sought to strike a balance by providing meaningful support to bereaved employees and ensuring the entitlement is accessible to those who need it, while also taking account of the costs to employers and the Exchequer. We understand that losing a parent is one of life’s most devastating moments. Bereavement leave sets a statutory minimum, and the government encourages employers to go above and beyond where they can, including by offering paid bereavement leave. The government will assess the policy after implementation to understand how it is working in practice for employees and employers.