It’s estimated that one in five women in the UK will experience a miscarriage in their lifetime. But if you lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks, there is currently no legal right to bereavement leave. I don’t think that’s right. 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. From April, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after any pregnancy loss. And we’re making wider changes, with new rights to time off when you lose someone you love. When you’re grieving, you deserve the time and space to do that.

Sep 22, 2026 · 7:09 AM UTC

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Replying to @andyburnham
How do you prove to your employer you or a partner had a miscarriage?
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Replying to @andyburnham
So it’s not just a clump of cells then?
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Replying to @andyburnham
Well this will get Britain moving … My wife and I lost twins at 16 weeks… dreadful time… but two weeks off … that is absurd in a country that allows abortion.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Will you get time off for abortion too? Why hire women? They already take more time off than men You do realise Britain has a chronic productivity issue? All this “be nice” shit isn’t working
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Replying to @andyburnham
I’ve had 5 miscarriages and agree there is little support but for me that would have been 10 weeks off work within a 18 month period that’s a lot of time off work and dwelling on something that I had no control over is not good for the individual nor the economy!
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Replying to @andyburnham
Pregnancy loss doesn’t become less painful because the law draws a line at 24 weeks. Two weeks of protected bereavement leave is a practical recognition that grief doesn’t follow a legal timetable.
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Replying to @andyburnham
I'm sure its a lovely idea but that is yet more cost for small businesses
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Replying to @andyburnham
What about a gay couple, who have a surrogate, that subsequently loses the baby prematurely? Who gets the time off in that instance? All 3?
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Replying to @andyburnham
The start of Anti-Abortion Andy…?
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Replying to @andyburnham
What about Pets.. the sense of loss of a much loved Pet hurts deeply.. Can I have a couple of weeks off for my hamster.. 😔
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Replying to @andyburnham
Annual risk for women ages 15–25 in England: Sexual assault is more common than miscarriage. Odd how some traumas get a national announcement while others needed decades of whistleblowers before authorities were willing to describe them plainly.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Any family bereavement should come with time off work as standard.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Oh come on. I get the sentiment but this will be wide open to abuse. People will just lie for extra time off.
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Replying to @andyburnham
So the employer takes the hit again and you’re encouraging people to sit and wallow. I’ve been there. Get up, stay busy, mourn but push through and you’ll heal quicker.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Two weeks? That’s it? Mate, if it’s that devastating why are you treating it like a long weekend. Either take it seriously or stop the virtue-signalling press release.
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Replying to @andyburnham
You really have to make up your mind, is it a clump of cells or a baby?
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Replying to @andyburnham
It’s almost like that clump of cells in the womb has value and deserves to be treated the same as any bereavement of a family member. It’s a shame you can’t apythe same logic to demonic women using abortion as birth control
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Replying to @andyburnham
Spend spend spend until you run out of other people’s cash. Thats the socialist way.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Finally. About time someone sorted this. Losing a baby is brutal enough without having to clock back in the next day like nothing happened. Good move.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Going for the female vote, Andy?
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Replying to @andyburnham
This is a much-needed change. Grief needs time, and this gives families dignity during a devastating time. As someone who has seen how painful pregnancy loss can be, this is the right move.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Please be honest Andy. This was a Starmer government initiative- so why are you announcing it as if it's your initiative and you did all the hard yards? Credit where credit is due.
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Replying to @andyburnham @Joanna__Hardy
I have had two miscarriages. One requiring a hospital stay. In the first trimester a miscarriage is extremely sad but physically no more than a heavy period. This law feels unnecessary for many and will be taken advantage of.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Will this be paid or unpaid?
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Replying to @andyburnham
Hi. I'm Andy Burnham from the North. I like the Smiths. I'm going to talk about everything except the most important pressing issues facing this country while we carry on as before. Have a quid off bus fare. Is it batches or baps? 🤔
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Replying to @andyburnham
There’s already sick leave, isn’t there?
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Replying to @andyburnham
It's the self-employed who need more help, they get nothing, not even SSP if they run their own business and have a miscarriage.
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Replying to @andyburnham
You also shouldn't lose your identity as a woman. Get back to me when a man gets pregnant. And don't say a trans man can do that as they are women.
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Replying to @andyburnham @NewsSceneUK
So miscarriage is now a benefits / bereavement issue, but abortion is not murder? Make it make sense.
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Replying to @andyburnham
How's this going to stop the invasion or slow the rate of inflation? Stop piddling about at the extremities and get on with the urgent essential jobs we demand of our Prime Minister.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Fair enough. This is good. Now fix some of the bigger issues, please.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Yes it’s extremely sad to have a miscarriage (I had 2 in the space of 6 months) but I don’t see how sitting at home moping for two weeks each time would’ve done me any good. You’re just giving employers another reason not to hire women.
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Replying to @andyburnham
More free money for public sector workers who will be the only ones who get paid leave for this. And what about when your pet dies? Or your great aunt in Australia . No wonder women are discriminated against in employment. 2 weeks off with every miscarriage , that’s a piss take
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Replying to @andyburnham
More time off for scammers, the legit people won't take it. Benefits Britain strikes again.
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Replying to @andyburnham
And another re-announcement of a policy brought forward under the Starmer government in March 2025. Stop gaslighting people.
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Replying to @andyburnham
Always quick to announce more rights and more time off. Never quite as quick to explain who’s paying for the extra burden on firms already struggling. Convenient that.
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