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ARTICLE · 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

How The New Right To Bereavement Leave Will Work

Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
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Lewis Silkin

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Employees will be entitled to two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave in the event of the death of a qualifying relative, or a pregnancy loss which occurs before 24 weeks. This is the statutory minimum. Employers are free to offer paid or additional bereavement leave, but the government has expressly ruled out introducing statutory pay for the new entitlement.

United KingdomEmployment and HR
Leigh Jackson
Leigh Jackson
Helen Coombes
Helen Coombes
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The government has set out how the new right to bereavement leave (including pregnancy loss before 24 weeks) will work once it comes into force in April 2027.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a new statutory day-one right to unpaid bereavement leave. This also covers pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

What is the new right?

Employees will be entitled to two weeks of unpaid bereavement leave in the event of the death of a qualifying relative, or a pregnancy loss which occurs before 24 weeks. This is the statutory minimum. Employers are free to offer paid or additional bereavement leave, but the government has expressly ruled out introducing statutory pay for the new entitlement.

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