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To: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Paid Miscarriage Leave

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We are writing to you to urge the UK Government to introduce at least three days of paid miscarriage leave for parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage. Under current legislation, workers are entitled to two weeks of paid bereavement leave following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Grieving parents who have lost a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy after less than 24 weeks are not covered by any such provision and must rely on either unpaid or sick leave if they feel unable to return to work following their pregnancy loss.

For those parents who experience miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy, the gap in support that must be closed.

Please support Angela Crawley MP's Private Members Bill on Miscarriage Leave due for second reading on 2nd December 2022. By taking this step, your government would assist in tackling that stigma and showing expectant parents that it is normal to grieve a loss prior to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Why is this important?

Suffering a miscarriage is not an illness, it is a loss that can be traumatic for expectant parents. It is therefore unfair to expect those grieving to rely on either their employer’s good will or sick leave.

Unfortunately, there is also a stigma around miscarriage, with many parents feeling unable to discuss their loss with friends, family, or their GP. By introducing paid leave, it will open the door to more parents seeking the support that they deserve.
United Kingdom

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Updates

2022-09-24 13:46:15 +0100

The Miscarriage Leave Bill Second Reading date has now been moved, and will be heard on 2nd December 2022.

2022-07-11 16:20:38 +0100

The Miscarriage Leave Bill has been reintroduced to Parliament, passing First Reading stage on 6th July, and due for Second Reading on 16th September 2022.

Further details here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3312

2022-07-11 16:14:38 +0100

ITV has covered the Paid Miscarriage Leave Campaign including the work of the New Zealand Parliament in legislating for 3 days paid leave. We must keep pushing to make sure the UK takes on comparable legislation.

https://www.itv.com/news/2022-07-08/inside-the-fight-for-all-uk-parents-to-get-paid-miscarriage-leave

2022-06-21 09:22:42 +0100

On 6th July 2022 the Paid Miscarriage Leave Bill will be reintroduced in Parliament. The policy will be introduced as a Ten Minute Rule Bill allowing time in the House of Commons chamber to discuss the need for leave following loss of a pregnancy. Thank you to everyone who has helped keep up the pressure on the Government - now let's make paid miscarriage leave a reality.

2021-12-14 12:36:24 +0000

https://twitter.com/AngelaCrawley30/status/1466872716926107651

On 3rd December, the Government talked out the Paid Miscarriage Leave Bill in Parliament. The next opportunity for it to be read in the House of Commons is on 31st March 2022. For all those affected by baby loss before 24 weeks, let's keep up the pressure on the Government by sharing the Paid Miscarriage Leave petition and writing to MPs to ask for their support.

2021-11-30 10:27:45 +0000

20,000 signatures reached

2021-11-29 19:08:38 +0000

10,000 signatures reached

2021-11-29 18:04:13 +0000

5,000 signatures reached

2021-11-25 23:32:30 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2021-11-24 16:28:55 +0000

500 signatures reached

2021-11-18 20:22:04 +0000

100 signatures reached

2021-11-18 17:10:47 +0000

50 signatures reached

2021-11-18 14:48:24 +0000

25 signatures reached

2021-11-17 15:49:53 +0000

10 signatures reached