UK MPs Push for Two Weeks of Paid Leave for Miscarriage Sufferers

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A new report from the Commons Women and Equalities Committee has called for the introduction of two weeks of paid leave for women who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation. Each year, approximately 250,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage in the UK, affecting many families emotionally and physically. The committee argues that this measure would create a universal right to bereavement leave, allowing women, and their partners, the necessary time to grieve without the added pressure of work-related concerns.

Currently, some employers offer discretionary leave for this purpose, but the committee insists a statutory right is essential. Labour MP Sarah Owen, who chairs the committee, stressed the need for the law to adapt to the realities of pregnancy loss, highlighting that women should not have to take sick leave for what is fundamentally a bereavement.

Support for the proposed legislation is bolstered by findings from charities and surveys indicating that most people view pregnancy loss as a bereavement. Current policy permits paid leave for stillbirths after 24 weeks, but advocates argue that the law should be updated to reflect the pain experienced during earlier miscarriages as well.

The report is expected to prompt discussions in government, as groups like the Miscarriage Association and Sands have underscored the importance of formalized support measures for grieving parents.

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