Suffolk families to get right to bereavement leave after pregnancy loss
Baby loss charity Sands has welcomed new rights, but says the leave should be paid.
People in Suffolk who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks will have a legal right to up to two weeks off work under changes due to come into force next year.
The government has confirmed that from April 2027, employees who experience pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, termination and an unsuccessful IVF embryo transfer — will be entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave.
The entitlement will also extend to partners, the other biological parent and intended parents in a surrogacy arrangement.
Currently, there is no specific statutory entitlement to maternity, paternity or parental bereavement leave following a miscarriage during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Baby loss charity Sands, which has a support group in West Suffolk, has welcomed the change as recognition that pregnancy loss is a bereavement — but says making the leave unpaid does not go far enough.
Annelies Hopkins, Head of Bereavement Support Services at Sands, told Greatest Hits Radio: “Losing a pregnancy or a baby can cause the most unimaginable pain to families and we hear about that experience every day on our helpline at Sands.
“Parents need time and space to grieve, often in private if they haven't yet shared that they were pregnant with others.
“They might be looking after other children who are struggling to make sense of what has happened.
“They might be recovering physically as well as mentally and emotionally.
“And all of this can't happen if they're expected to return to work immediately as if their bereavement wasn't significant.”
‘It doesn't go as far as we wanted’
Under the changes, eligible employees will be able to take the leave flexibly within 56 weeks of their loss, including as individual days rather than one continuous period.
The government says people taking bereavement leave will not be required to provide evidence of their loss and will be protected from detriment or dismissal for exercising the new statutory right.
However, the pregnancy loss entitlement will be unpaid.
Ms Hopkins said: “We're really pleased that the government have confirmed this week that from April 2027, families who experience miscarriage or pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks will be entitled to two weeks leave.
“This is really good news but unfortunately this leave is unpaid so it doesn't go as far as we wanted it to.
“Essentially it represents the minimum level of support that should be available for bereaved parents.”
Sands is calling for parents in England, Scotland and Wales who experience pregnancy loss to receive at least two weeks of paid bereavement leave.
Ms Hopkins added: “We need to allow parents the space to grieve without any added pressure and not paying them does the exact opposite of that.
“Parents need their feelings acknowledged and validated in order to process their grief, not being made to feel that they have to take sick leave or use annual leave when they're actually experiencing a bereavement.
“The reality is that no parent should be forced to return to work before they're ready.”
What are the rules currently?
Under existing rules, parents are entitled to parental bereavement leave following a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy or the death of a child under 18.
However, ACAS says there is currently no statutory maternity, paternity or parental bereavement leave entitlement following a miscarriage during the first 24 weeks.
Employers can choose to offer their own pregnancy loss or compassionate leave arrangements.
The government's changes will create a statutory entitlement following pre-24-week pregnancy loss from April 2027.
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said the changes were intended to ensure people did not have to “fight for time to grieve”, while providing a legal safety net where employers did not already offer equivalent or more generous support.
The government says the changes will be introduced through secondary legislation next year.
Support available in Suffolk
Sands provides support to people affected by pregnancy and baby loss, including through local groups, online services and its national helpline.
West Suffolk Sands was established in Bury St Edmunds by bereaved parents to provide support to other people affected by the death of a baby.
Ms Hopkins said Sands also works with employers to improve support for staff following pregnancy or baby loss.
“Sands is committed to helping employers to create more compassionate workplaces,” she said.
“It's also worth saying that Sands is not only here to support families, we also run training courses for workplaces to make sure they really understand how to support their employees after pregnancy or baby loss.”
Sands' national helpline is available on 0808 164 3332, with further support and information available through the charity's website.