Reactions Flood In To Andy Burnham’s Miscarriage Leave Announcement

The prime minister Andy Burnham has confirmed that, as of April 2027, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after miscarriage.

In an Instagram post shared on Tuesday (22 September), Burnham pointed out that one in five women in the UK are estimated to experience a miscarriage in their lifetime, but there is no legal right to bereavement leave before 24 weeks.

“I don’t think that’s right,” said the Labour leader. “Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. You and your partner shouldn’t have to worry about going straight back to work. So we’re changing the law.”

The leave applies to any pregnancy loss, meaning those who experience miscarriage, terminations and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers will be able to take it.

It’s worth noting it’ll be unpaid, however Burnham suggested those two weeks offer “the time and space” to grieve.

In response to the announcement, podcaster and author Elizabeth Day, who has been open about her own experience of recurrent miscarriage and unsuccessful fertility treatment, said: “Thank you, Prime Minister. This means so much to all who have experienced the specific loss of miscarriage.”

Retired RAF pilot Mandy Hickson added: “This is so important. I was at work the next day [after a loss], whilst trying to control my emotion for a baby that we had been trying for over a year to conceive.

“The loss was unbearable, but I was working in the military at the time – there was no way that I could show any form of weakness, meanwhile all I wanted to do was sob every day.

“This is so important to recognise this in law. Well done.”

Comedian Rachel Parris highlighted that while having the time to grieve is important, “for many, those two weeks are absolutely necessary for the body to begin its recovery” as well.

Another commenter said: “Crying in American. We don’t even get leave for the babies that make it through alive and well. The UK [is] showing us they are way better.”

The move was also praised by charities supporting families through loss.

Pregnancy and baby charity Tommys responded: “Thank you Andy Burnham for your empathy for families affected by the heartbreak of baby loss. We’re here for anyone who loses a baby, no matter when or how it happened.”

The baby loss charity Sands added: “We welcome today’s recognition from the Government that pregnancy loss is a bereavement and look forward to continuing on this journey to ensure that leave for all losses is paid.

“While changes to legislation are welcome, employers do not need to wait for legal requirements to improve support for staff affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. Sands is here to support employers to create more compassionate workplaces.”

One commenter remarked that because the leave is unpaid, “it’s a good start but doesn’t go far enough”.

Another added that “people can’t afford unpaid leave”, so they’d “be better off calling in sick and getting SSP [statutory sick pay]”.

As part of the new changes, ministers will also introduce a new right to two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave from April 2027, for employees who lose a spouse or partner, parent, adult child or sibling. This will include step, half, adoptive, kinship care and foster relationships who currently have no legal right to bereavement leave.

Minister for the Future of Work, 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.”

The government is currently undertaking a wider, comprehensive review of the parental leave and pay system, including on areas such as Hugh’s Law, which is campaigning to introduce statutory paid leave and employment protections for parents of seriously ill children.

• Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby.
• Tommy’s fund research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, and provide pregnancy health information to parents.
• Saying Goodbye offers support for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.