Working parents across Great Britain who experience pregnancy loss or unsuccessful in vitro fertilisation (IVF) will soon gain a statutory right to unpaid bereavement leave under proposed legislation announced by the government.
Rayner-led reform Extends Statutory Leave to Pregnancy Loss and Failed IVF
Led by Rayner, the forthcoming employment reforms will extend statutory bereavement leave starting in April 2027. According to government announcements, the policy covers pregnancy losses occurring before 24 weeks of gestation. This includes miscarriages, terminations, and failed IVF embryo transfers.
The entitlement provides up to two weeks of unpaid leave for eligible employees. According to policy details released by officials, the framework applies directly to the person who was pregnant, as well as their partners, the other biological parent, and intended parents participating in surrogacy arrangements.
Broadening Bereavement Coverage for Modern Families
The legislation expands beyond standard immediate-family definitions established under the Employment Rights Act 2025. According to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the updated rules explicitly incorporate step-relatives, half-relatives, adoptive parents, kinship carers, and foster relationships into the statutory bereavement framework.
Ministers stated that prior to these changes, many of these caregiving and non-traditional family structures lacked explicit legal protection for workplace time off following a death. Government consultations found broad backing for the expansion, with more than eight in ten employers and nine in ten business organizations supporting statutory leave provisions for immediate family bereavement.
Stakeholder Reactions and Safety Net Considerations
Work Minister Kate Dearden stated that no employee should have to fight for time to grieve, emphasizing that the reforms support workers through difficult circumstances regardless of their workplace. Vicki Robinson, chief executive of Miscarriage UK, welcomed the announcement as a vital step in recognizing pregnancy loss as a bereavement, while encouraging employers to consider offering paid leave alongside compassionate guidance.
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, noted that the legislative shift guarantees working families necessary time and space. Meanwhile, Helen Gibson, founder of Surrogacy Concern, raised distinct cautions regarding surrogacy applications, arguing that birth mothers remain the primary bereaved individuals and calling for continued debate on how commissioning parents are accommodated.
Government officials noted that while a majority of employers already maintain flexible internal policies, a statutory safety net is necessary to ensure consistent support rather than relying solely on individual employer discretion.
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