The UK government have proposed that anyone in England, Scotland and Wales who experiences a bereavement, including pregnancy loss, should be entitled to at least one-week of unpaid leave. 

The government is consulting on these proposals now. 

Unpaid leave for one week isn’t enough. We're calling on the government to ensure two weeks of paid leave for all bereaved parents, no matter when their baby dies or where they live. 

This is your opportunity to let the UK Government know it's essential that all bereaved parents can access paid leave.

Trigger warning: We are aware that some of the language used in the consultation to describe pregnancy loss is quite insensitive and medicalised. There are also parts of the consultation which differentiate between "Loss of loved ones" and "Pregnancy loss". We recognise that many people would describe pregnancy loss as the loss of a loved one and want you to know that we are always here to support you

Why bereavement leave needs to change

No bereaved parent should have to return to work before they're ready. But right now, parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks are not entitled to any bereavement leave or pay.

Parents who lose a baby after 24 weeks, or after birth, are already entitled to two weeks’ paid leave – this is not changing. 

The Government has also announced that new legislation will make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, those on maternity leave, and mothers returning to work for at least six months, except in specific circumstances.

In Northern Ireland, the Executive has confirmed that two weeks paid miscarriage leave will be available from April 2026.  

 “Whilst we’re pleased that the UK government has recognised pregnancy loss is a bereavement, we want all bereaved parents to be entitled to two weeks of paid leave, including those who lose a baby before 24 weeks gestation. All bereaved parents must be entitled to the same paid leave, no matter their experience or where they live.”  

- Clea Harmer, Sands' Chief Executive

Phillippa is a bereaved mum from Wales who has experienced multiple miscarriages. When she lost her first baby, she was working full-time and self-certified for 7 days via her doctor. She felt her employer at the time offered no support, pressured her to return to work telling her to “get a grip” and described her miscarriage as a ‘bad period’. 

“You shouldn’t have to go off sick when you lose a baby. You're not sick, your baby has died. You need time to process things before you're back in work. Your body hasn't even recovered after two weeks, nevermind your mental state.”

“You need that time as a family to grieve, to get things in place, to let your body and mind heal. A lot of the time that's missing following baby loss.”

- Phillippa, bereaved parent.

Sands is here to support anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, however recently or longer ago, wherever they are in the UK for as long as they need this. 

The UK Government consultation on employment reforms is now open and closes on 15 January 2026.