PRESENTING MY BILL - PAID BEREAVEMENT LEAVE FOR ALL - TO HOUSE OF COMMONS

This Tuesday in the House of Commons I will be presenting my Private Member’s Bill calling for the provision of two weeks paid bereavement leave for all who lose a close family member.

This builds on my previous work for two weeks paid bereavement leave for all those who lose a child up to the age of 18 or who suffer a stillbirth, which is now enshrined in law.

However, as we emerge from the pandemic, with so many having suffered the loss of a loved one, it is now time to address the wider issue of paid bereavement leave for all.

The current situation means that time off - paid or unpaid - after a close bereavement is entirely at the employer’s discretion. This is simply not good enough. The law needs to enshrine the right to grieve for everyone and that is what my Bill will set out on Tuesday, which has attracted support from every political party.