Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has plans to introduce a right to bereavement leave following the miscarriage of a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The Government recognises that the loss of a child at any age is tragic and deeply upsetting. In April 2020 we legislated to give parents who lose a child under the age of 18 years a right to take up to two weeks off work in the 56 weeks following the death of their child. This right extends to parents of babies stillborn after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy.

Miscarriage is a very personal experience and some of those affected may want to stay at home, whilst others may prefer to continue to work or alternatively may need time off later. The Government believes that individuals are best placed to understand their own specific needs, and good employers will respond to requests made by their employees in a sensitive way.