23 September 2026
People who lose a loved one or experience the heartbreak of pregnancy loss will gain new rights to take time off work under major changes confirmed by the Labour Government.
From April 2027, employees who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks will have a legal right to bereavement leave, including following miscarriage and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers. The protection will also extend to partners.
The new right closes a gap in employment law which has meant that, before 24 weeks, people experiencing pregnancy loss have had no general statutory right to bereavement leave. The leave will be available flexibly and employees will not have to provide evidence of their loss.
The changes form part of the Labour Government’s wider Make Work Pay programme. The Employment Rights Act 2025 is the biggest increase in workers’ rights in a generation, strengthening workers’ rights on bereavement, sick pay, zero-hours contracts, unfair dismissal, fire and rehire, parental and paternity leave, flexible working, redundancy, sexual harassment, tips, trade union rights and enforcement of employment law. The Act passed with cross-party support, although was opposed by the Conservatives and Reform UK. Reform UK has pledged to repeal the Act.
Luke has a long track record of standing with families affected by pregnancy and baby loss. Before being elected to Parliament, working as Redcar & Cleveland’s Cabinet Member for Children, he commissioned the council’s work with Leo’s, which provided specialist support to families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal and perinatal loss.
Luke Myer MP said:
“Pregnancy loss can be absolutely devastating for families. No one going through that should then have to fight simply to get time away from work to grieve.
“The more we improve rights and protections at work, the more we help people to stay in work. This is about giving people some security and breathing room at one of the hardest moments in their lives. I’m really pleased that our Labour Government is addressing this important gap in employment rights.”
UK Government Minister Kate Dearden said:
“No one should have to fight for time to grieve. These changes back people going through some of the hardest moments of life, whoever they are and wherever they work. I want to thank the campaigners, whose courage and testimonies, have made this change happen.”
Miscarriage UK Chief Executive Vicki Robinson said:
“We welcome today’s announcement that bereavement leave for pre-24-week pregnancy loss will become law in April 2027, with an increased minimum of two weeks’ leave and an entitlement that recognises partners, too. This is an important step in recognising pregnancy loss as a bereavement and the profound impact it can have, and we hope will provide a baseline for employers to go further. We still strongly believe bereavement leave should be paid, and we will continue to press for this through our Leave for Every Loss campaign.”
CBI Director for Future of Work & Skills, Matthew Percival, said:
“Bringing forward a day one right to bereavement leave recognises the importance of giving employees time and space during some of life’s most difficult moments. Many employers already provide compassionate leave in these circumstances, and businesses look forward to engaging with government, unions and other stakeholders to ensure the detail and accompanying guidance work effectively in practice.”