Bereavement leave, including pregnancy loss
April 2027 (planned) Planned — no commencement order yet
Employment Rights Act 2025 s.18. Commencement regulations not yet made. Applies to: Great Britain. Checked 25 October 2026.
A new right to unpaid bereavement leave will cover the death of a dependant or other specified relationships, and pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. Length, notice and timing will be set in regulations. Parental bereavement leave for the death of a child under 18 already exists.
We found no commencement regulations for this change on legislation.gov.uk as of 25 October 2026. The date comes from the government roadmap and may move; details depend on regulations and consultation responses.
Who it affects
All employers.
What changes
- New statutory bereavement leave; details by regulations.
- Pregnancy loss before 24 weeks covered.
What to do
- Check your compassionate leave policy says what you offer now and who decides.
Documents to review by 4 March 2027
- Compassionate / bereavement leave policy : What you offer now, including pregnancy loss; Who approves it.
Tick these off and export the dates to your calendar in the business plan tab.
Sources
- Employment Rights Act 2025, section 18 — Bereavement leave
- GOV.UK — Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update (updated 22 October 2026)
A summary for employers, not legal advice. Where a change depends on regulations not yet made, details may differ from this page.
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