If introduced, the Miscarriage Leave Bill would establish a statutory right of three-days paid leave for parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Up to one in four pregnancies will end in miscarriage but there is currently no provision in place to support grieving parents through their loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

In Scotland, the Scottish Government have made progressive steps by introducing paid leave for public sector workers.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“24 weeks is an arbitrary cut-off point for supporting parents who experience pregnancy loss. Whether it happens after one week or 31 weeks, the loss can be equally as traumatic.

“I am calling for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to close this gap in support and back my Private Members’ Bill when it returns to the House of Commons.

“I am proud that the Scottish Government has led the way and introduced paid leave in the public sector but they do not have the powers to extend this to the private sector.

“They are unable to go further as employment law is reserved meaning thousands of parents across the UK won’t get that support without the UK government’s backing.

“Many businesses would like to support their employees further but they simply cannot afford to do so without state support.”