In the 2017 General Election manifesto, the Conservative party indicated its intention to introduce new laws to provide paid leave to parents who suffer the loss of a child. Finally, it looks like this right will find its way onto the statute books.

The new right will come into force on 6 April 2020. It will apply to employees who either:

·       lose a child under the age of 18; or

·       suffer a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

All such employees will be entitled to two weeks’ leave, which can be taken all at the same time or in two separate blocks of one week.  Furthermore, those employees who have at least 26 weeks’ service with their employer may also be entitled to ‘statutory parental bereavement pay’, which will normally be paid at the fixed rate of £151.20 per week.

As is often the case, the devil is in the detail and the precise ambit of this new right will require careful consideration. If you need further advice and support, please contact a member of our team.

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