Closed petition Introduce paid miscarriage leave for parents who experience pregnancy loss.

Allow parents who lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks least three days to grieve by introducing paid miscarriage leave.

1 in 4 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.

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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.

Miscarriage is not an illness, and the time needed for parental grief should be recognised in statute rather than at the mercy of an employer.

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MPs debate Baby Loss Awareness Week

MPs debated Baby Loss Awareness Week on Thursday 19 October in the House of Commons.

The debate was led by Helen Morgan MP. Maria Caulfield MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, responded on behalf of the Government.

During this debate MPs talk about experiences of baby loss, which you might find distressing.

The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.

What are backbench business debates?

Backbench business debates give backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) an opportunity to secure a debate on a topic of their choice, either in the Chamber or Westminster Hall.

MPs can make a request for a debate to the Backbench Business Committee, which hears and decides which debates to schedule.

Backbench debates can either be general debates (which do not end in a vote) or be on a substantive motion (which calls for an action and can end in a vote). This debate was a general debate.

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MPs debate fatalities in childbirth and statutory leave and pay

On Wednesday 6 December, MPs took part in a Westminster Hall debate on fatalities in childbirth and statutory leave and pay. The debate was led by Darren Henry MP, and the Government minister Kevin Hollinrake MP responded to the debate on behalf of the Government.

What is a Westminster Hall debate?

Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local and national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.

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