Paid miscarriage leave still a priority

On the day her private members’ bill was due its second reading, Lanark and Hamilton East MP has vowed not to give up the fight for paid miscarriage leave.

Having previously been talked out in December, the Paid Miscarriage Leave Bill was due to have its second reading today (6th May) but, due to the prorogation of Parliament, the bill has fallen.

Despite cross-party support and the backing of more than 40,000 members of the public, the UK Government failed to back the bill.

The Paid Miscarriage Leave Bill sought to introduce three days of paid leave for parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Commenting, Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley said:

“Every parent deserves the right to grieve following a miscarriage and I will continue to fight to make that happen.

“No one should have to rely on the goodwill of their employer or be forced to take sick leave or annual leave in order to grieve.

“On Tuesday, the UK Government have another opportunity to back paid miscarriage leave with the Queen’s Speech and there would be no better way to help break the stigma associated with miscarriage if they were to do so.”