Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North, has welcomed new legal rights that recognise grief after early pregnancy loss. The entitlement covers miscarriages, terminations and unsuccessful IVF transfers before 24 weeks and extends to partners and intended parents in surrogacy. The measure is part of a wider bereavement law coming into force in April that provides up to two weeks' unpaid leave for close relative losses. Charities have welcomed the change and urged consideration of a right to paid leave.
MP Praises New Bereavement Leave That Recognises Grief After Pregnancy Loss
Sarah Owen MP said the new right to bereavement leave for pregnancy loss is "bold and necessary" [Sarah Owen MP]
Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North, has welcomed new legal rights that formally recognise grief following early pregnancy loss.
The new entitlement covers parents who experience a miscarriage, termination or an unsuccessful IVF embryo transfer before 24 weeks of pregnancy. It also extends to partners, the other biological parent and intended parents in surrogacy arrangements.
These measures form part of a wider bereavement leave law coming into force in April, which gives employees across Great Britain up to two weeks' unpaid leave if they lose a spouse, partner, parent, adult child or sibling.
Campaigning and Legislation
Owen — who has personally experienced a miscarriage — campaigned alongside charities for several years and tabled the amendment that led to the change. Before her current ministerial role she served as chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and published a report calling for bereavement leave to recognise pregnancy loss.
"Nothing will ever take away the pain of losing a pregnancy, but this law change will provide workers with the security of time to grieve and help end the stigma of miscarriage for good," Owen said.
Government And Charity Reactions
Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, said the change supports people "going through some of the hardest moments of life, whoever they are and wherever they work." She added that while many employers already offer paid leave, a statutory safety net is necessary so support does not depend entirely on employer discretion.
Vicki Robinson, chief executive of Miscarriage UK, welcomed the move as an important recognition of pregnancy loss as a form of bereavement and expressed hope it will set a baseline for employers to offer better support. Bereavement charity Sue Ryder has urged the government to introduce a right to paid leave, citing the significant financial impact bereavement can have.
Support And Next Steps
If you have been affected by pregnancy loss or bereavement, support and information are available from organisations such as BBC Action Line, Miscarriage UK and Sue Ryder.
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