'Thank You, Prime Minister': Reactions Flood In To New Miscarriage Leave Announcement

Women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after any pregnancy loss.

Parents editor at HuffPost UK

The prime minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that, as of April 2027, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after miscarriage.

In an Instagram post shared on Tuesday (22 September), Burnham pointed out that one in five women in the UK are estimated to experience a miscarriage in their lifetime, but there is no legal right to bereavement leave if the loss occurs before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

“I don’t think that’s right,” said the Labour leader. “Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. You and your partner shouldn’t have to worry about going straight back to work. So we’re changing the law.”

The leave applies to any pregnancy loss, meaning those who experience miscarriage, terminations and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers will be able to take it.

It’s worth noting it’ll be unpaid, however Burnham suggested those two weeks offer “the time and space” to grieve.

In response to the announcement, podcaster and author Elizabeth Day, who has been open about her own experience of recurrent........

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