The Labour government plans to amend the Employment Rights Bill so that parents who experience pregnancy loss at any stage, including miscarriages before 24 weeks, gain a statutory right to bereavement leave. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the measure will give parents "time away from work to grieve" and will take effect from the first day of employment. Under the proposal, employees would be entitled to at least one week of unpaid leave; the precise length, eligibility rules and any documentation requirements will be set after a consultation. At present, UK law grants up to two weeks’ paid parental bereavement leave only when a child dies under 18 or after a stillbirth beyond 24 weeks, leaving those who miscarry earlier with no specific protection. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the change recognises that "grief doesn’t follow a timetable" and will prevent workers from feeling pressured to return to their jobs too soon. The Miscarriage Association welcomed the move as "hugely important" for acknowledging the emotional impact on both parents, while campaigner Myleene Klass called it a long-overdue step toward ending the stigma around early pregnancy loss. Government estimates suggest about 250,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage each year in the UK.