Paid Miscarriage Leave

The Member supports the initiative and highlights that both mothers and fathers should have the right to mourn and receive paid miscarriage leave. He shares personal experiences with family members who had experienced miscarriages and returned to work quickly, underscoring the emotional impact on partners as well.

Welcomes the opportunity to support his hon. Friend's Bill; highlights the absence of paid parental bereavement leave for miscarriages before 24 weeks of pregnancy; cites BBC and STV reports revealing the emotional impact on partners; references a University College London study which found up to 85% of partners experienced grief, sadness, and shock following miscarriage; argues for the importance of paid leave regardless of pregnancy stage; notes Scottish Government's commitment to three days of paid leave in public sector; calls on UK Government to recognise benefits and extend leave beyond three days.

Congratulates his hon. Friend the Member for Lanark and Hamilton East on securing the debate; mentions her petition which garnered over 40,000 signatures; highlights her contributions including a private Member’s Bill scheduled for Second Reading tomorrow; discusses the impact of miscarriage, noting it affects around one in four pregnancies; urges the Minister to consider statutory entitlements for leave before 24 weeks; advocates for the introduction of paid miscarriage leave due to current system cracks; references SNP Scottish Government's commitment to three days of paid leave and a dignified compassionate service by end of 2023.

I thank the hon. Member for Lanark and Hamilton East for securing and leading this debate, acknowledging her campaigning efforts to raise awareness of pregnancy loss. I emphasise that discussing such issues helps challenge existing rules and assumptions to bring about change. Pregnancy loss at any stage is a significant source of grief affecting both women and their partners' mental health, with many unable to access necessary psychological support through the NHS. Labour supports introducing bereavement leave for all parents who experience pregnancy loss, regardless of the gestational period, as current provisions only cover those from 24 weeks onward. I critique statutory sick pay as inadequate, particularly for those on low wages or in insecure work situations. While some employers and regions like Northern Ireland have introduced miscarriage policies, this should not be left to employer discretion but addressed through statutory provision. The Miscarriage Association’s pregnancy loss pledge is supported by 65 organisations representing 69,000 employees, calling for a supportive work environment and bereavement leave policies.

Stated that the Government have measures in place for employers and employees regarding miscarriage leave. Emphasised the importance of the women’s health strategy, which includes health in the workplace, fertility, pregnancy loss and post-natal support as priority areas.

Asked if someone who has had a miscarriage should make a flexible working application, which could take weeks or months to resolve. Questioned the practicality of relying on flexible working in such situations.

Suggested that the Liberal Party of Australia has more progressive policies regarding paid miscarriage leave compared to the UK Government, questioning why similar measures are not implemented here.

On behalf of everyone who supported the motion, Angela Crawley expressed dissatisfaction with the Minister's response to the debate on paid miscarriage leave. She argued that statutory provision is essential and without it, many employers will not offer bereavement leave for miscarriages, leaving families unsupported and grieving in silence.