UK Government expands statutory bereavement leave rights

The UK Government has announced expanded statutory bereavement leave rights, set to take effect in April 2027. Under the new measures, employees will be entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid leave following the death of a spouse, partner, parent, adult child, or sibling. The reforms also broaden the scope of eligible relationships to include step, half, adoptive, foster, and kinship care connections.

Crucially, the new protections extend to pregnancy loss occurring before 24 weeks. This includes miscarriage, terminations, and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers. The entitlement applies to women, their partners, the other biological parent, and intended parents in surrogacy arrangements. Employees will have the right to take this leave flexibly in individual days within 56 weeks of the loss and will not be required to provide evidence of the bereavement.

Work Minister Kate Dearden stated that the changes aim to ensure no one has to fight for time to grieve. While the leave is unpaid, advocacy groups and unions have welcomed the move as a necessary safety net. However, some groups, such as the SPUC, have raised questions regarding the inclusion of terminations under bereavement protections.