A Lanarkshire MP has expressed her disappointment after the UK government failed to support her Miscarriage Leave Bill in its second reading last week.
Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley’s Private Members’ Bill was due its second reading on Friday but it wasn’t heard because there wasn't enough time to debate all the bills on the order paper.
If introduced, the bill would have granted a statutory right to three days of paid leave for parents who experience miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
However, parents are still forced to rely on sick leave or annual leave if they are to grieve their loss.
Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have introduced paid miscarriage leave and Northern Ireland is set to do so by 2026.
In Scotland, the Scottish Government has made progressive steps by introducing paid leave for public sector workers; however, as employment law is reserved to Westminster, it can’t be imposed on the private sector without UK government legislation.
MP Angela Crawley said: “It is disappointing, if unsurprising, that the UK Tory government has failed to stand up for parents who experience miscarriage and support them to grieve their loss.
“Their argument that good employers will simply give people time off just won’t wash. Most employers want to support their staff through what can be a traumatic life event but many are simply unable to do so without state support.
“Today was an opportunity wasted; one which could have seen the UK take a positive step towards ending the stigma associated with miscarriage.
“The Miscarriage Leave Bill has been supported by MPs from every party represented at Westminster as well as having huge public support with more than 40,000 people signing petitions calling for its implementation.
“I will continue to fight for parents who experience miscarriage by campaigning for the UK government to introduce a statutory right to paid miscarriage leave.
“Whilst the broken Westminster system stands in the way, it is only with the full powers of independence that Scotland can take the necessary steps to properly support parents who experience miscarriage.”
Up to one in four pregnancies will end in miscarriage but there is currently no provision in place to support grieving parents through their loss before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
The Minister for London and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, MP Paul Scully, spoke on the bill put forward by the MP for Lanark and Hamilton East at the Paid Miscarriage Leave debate on Thursday, March 17, 2022.
He said: “I know that the hon. Member for Lanark and Hamilton East is specifically interested in, and always speaks passionately about, a leave entitlement for miscarriage.
“Parental bereavement leave and pay may not be that entitlement, but it does two important things.
“First, it supports parents who have suffered that tragic unimaginable loss we have talked about. Secondly, it sets a statutory baseline for employers, sending an important message that the Government expect employers to support their staff following any type of bereavement.
“That bereavement leave is available to parents who have lost a child under 18 or who have suffered a stillbirth after 24 weeks. That definition of stillbirth is a clinical one.
“Miscarriage is undoubtedly a very personal experience, and some people affected may want to stay at home, while others may prefer to continue to work or alternatively need time off later.
“That is why the Government supports employers and employees to have those conversations about what is happening in their lives and what support they need, giving them the flexibility to have that approach.
“Employers are best placed to understand their own people and to develop a solution that works for the individual.”
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did yo u know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.
