[UK] Campaign for paid miscarriage leave gains momentum

Pregnancy loss charities across the nation have joined more than 40 MPs to fight for the provision of at least three days of paid miscarriage leave in the UK, Glasgow Live reports.

Introduced by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley, the proposed Miscarriage Leave Bill has gained the support of at least eight charities and 48 MPs.

The organisations include the Miscarriage Association, Mumsnet, Miscarriage Support, the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Tommy’s, Sands, SIMBA and campaigner Keeley Lengthorn.

Up to one in four pregnancies will reportedly end in miscarriage yet there is no provision to support grieving parents through their loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The Miscarriage Association believes that paid leave would allow parents time off to recover while recognising the significance of pregnancy loss.

National Director, Ruth Bender Atik, said, “For many people, miscarriage is the loss of a baby, however early it happens, and is often felt as a bereavement like any other.

“A period of statutory leave would not only allow people some time off to start their recovery, but it would also be a clear public recognition that pregnancy loss can have a very real and significant impact on those going through it.

“We wholeheartedly support this bill and hope the government will take this opportunity to support people at what can be an extremely difficult and distressing time.”

The Miscarriage Leave Bill would introduce a statutory right for parents to a minimum of three days of paid leave in the event of a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.

Countries including Australia and New Zealand have already introduced paid miscarriage leave and Northern Ireland is set to do so before 2026.

Angela Crawley MP has written to Prime Minister Liz Truss and secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Jacob Rees-Mogg, ahead of the bill’s second reading.

Ms Crawley said, “A new Prime Minister brings a change to the heart of government and with that there is an opportunity for them to review and change their stance on miscarriage leave.

“My Private Members’ Bill will return to the Commons in December and I am hopeful that the new government will get behind it and support parents who experience miscarriage.”

Source: Glasgow Live

(Quotes via original reporting)

Pregnancy loss charities across the nation have joined more than 40 MPs to fight for the provision of at least three days of paid miscarriage leave in the UK, Glasgow Live reports.

Introduced by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley, the proposed Miscarriage Leave Bill has gained the support of at least eight charities and 48 MPs.

The organisations include the Miscarriage Association, Mumsnet, Miscarriage Support, the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Tommy’s, Sands, SIMBA and campaigner Keeley Lengthorn.

Up to one in four pregnancies will reportedly end in miscarriage yet there is no provision to support grieving parents through their loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The Miscarriage Association believes that paid leave would allow parents time off to recover while recognising the significance of pregnancy loss.

National Director, Ruth Bender Atik, said, “For many people, miscarriage is the loss of a baby, however early it happens, and is often felt as a bereavement like any other.

“A period of statutory leave would not only allow people some time off to start their recovery, but it would also be a clear public recognition that pregnancy loss can have a very real and significant impact on those going through it.

“We wholeheartedly support this bill and hope the government will take this opportunity to support people at what can be an extremely difficult and distressing time.”

The Miscarriage Leave Bill would introduce a statutory right for parents to a minimum of three days of paid leave in the event of a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.

Countries including Australia and New Zealand have already introduced paid miscarriage leave and Northern Ireland is set to do so before 2026.

Angela Crawley MP has written to Prime Minister Liz Truss and secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Jacob Rees-Mogg, ahead of the bill’s second reading.

Ms Crawley said, “A new Prime Minister brings a change to the heart of government and with that there is an opportunity for them to review and change their stance on miscarriage leave.

“My Private Members’ Bill will return to the Commons in December and I am hopeful that the new government will get behind it and support parents who experience miscarriage.”

Source: Glasgow Live

(Quotes via original reporting)