Closed consultation

Make Work Pay: leave for bereavement including pregnancy loss

• From: Department for Business and Trade, Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP
• Published: 23 October 2025
• Last updated: 1 December 2025 — See all updates

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Summary

We are seeking views on the details of a new entitlement to bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

This consultation ran from
9am on 23 October 2025 to 11:59pm on 15 January 2026

Consultation description

The Employment Rights Bill introduced a new day-one right to unpaid bereavement leave for employees who experience the loss of a loved one, including pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

We are seeking views to ensure the new entitlement is shaped with the needs of employees and employers at the forefront.

This consultation seeks views on:

• eligibility criteria
• types of pregnancy loss in scope
• when and how bereavement leave can be taken
• notice and evidence requirements

We welcome views from all stakeholders, particularly those with insight into this sensitive and personal topic. This may include charities, individuals with lived experience, and employers.

See the public consultations privacy notice.

Documents

Consultation on leave for bereavement including pregnancy loss

PDF, 717 KB, 36 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Options assessment for new rights to unpaid bereavement leave including pregnancy loss

PDF, 759 KB, 50 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email digital@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Published 23 October 2025

Last updated 1 December 2025 + show all updates

1. 1 December 2025

   Options assessment for new rights to unpaid bereavement leave including pregnancy loss added.

2. 23 October 2025

   First published.