New Legal Right to Bereavement Leave Introduced by Labour Government

The Labour government announced new measures establishing a legal right to bereavement leave for employees, set to begin in April 2027. This entitlement allows employees to take up to two weeks of unpaid leave following the death of a spouse, partner, parent, adult child, or sibling, or in cases of pregnancy loss. The policy also extends parental bereavement leave to cover pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, terminations, and unsuccessful IVF embryo transfers before 24 weeks. Kate Dearden, Minister of State for the Future of Work, welcomed the changes, noting they provide security for families in Basingstoke.

The introduction of a statutory right to bereavement leave changes employment regulations across the country. The measures, which were informed by concerns from constituents in Basingstoke, provide employees with a defined period of paid or unpaid leave, impacting labor management and employee benefits.