Rochdale MP, Tony Lloyd, is demanding Government Ministers introduce paid miscarriage leave for parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Tony said, “Currently, grieving parents are entitled to two weeks of paid bereavement leave at work following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Yet those who have lost their baby after less than 24 weeks are not covered.

“Instead, they must rely on either unpaid or sick leave if they feel unable to return to work following their pregnancy loss.

“Suffering a miscarriage is not an illness, it is a loss that can be traumatic for expectant parents.

”One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage. Yet many parents feel unable to discuss their loss with friends, family, or even their GP.

“It is grossly unfair to expect those grieving to rely on either their employer’s good will or sick leave. Introducing paid leave will help parents seek the support they need.”

Tony joins MPs from across the House of Commons in writing to Prime Minister Johnson to affect this change. In the letter, Tony writes that support for three days of paid miscarriage leave “has been supported by various miscarriage support organisations including Sands, Miscarriage Association and MISS. Each organisation agreed that a period of leave following miscarriage is necessary, and in many cases, a period longer than the three days we are proposing would be beneficial. We are asking therefore for a minimum standard. We urge you to support the Miscarriage Leave Bill coming before the house for second reading on 3rd December 2021.”