Parental Bereavement Legislation on par with UK Maternity/Paternity Legislation
Every parent who loses a child should have the time and financial support to grieve — just as parents are supported when welcoming a child. UK law provides only 2 weeks statutory parental bereavement leave (often unpaid), leaving parents to return to work far too soon after unimaginable loss.
Signatures
28
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 28/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 28/100,000
- 13 FEB 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Jennifer Irene Mary Wotton
Background
We call on the government to amend the law so all parents who lose a child, regardless of age, receive statutory leave and pay equal to maternity/paternity leave. This would give bereaved parents the time, dignity, and support they need to grieve.
Society recognises the birth of a child as life-changing — it must also recognise child loss as equally profound. In the UK, maternity leave can be up to 52 weeks, yet bereaved parents currently get only 2 weeks. This is not equality — it must change.