Miscarriage bereavement ‘isn’t a sickness, it’s grief’

Labour MP Sarah Owen has called on the government to extend paid bereavement leave to people who miscarry before 24 weeks.

The MP for Luton North, who has suffered two miscarriages, introduced the bill in a ten minute rule motion this afternoon.

Speaking in the Commons, Owen said “I can’t believe in 2021, people are forced to take sick leave to process their grief.” It is estimated that one in four pregnancies end in miscarriages.

“Miscarriage can be physically painful, but it isn’t an illness, and it’s time the law stop treating it like one.”