The government passed legislation on the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act.

From 6 April 2020 all employed parents whose child dies (under the age of 18), or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy, irrespective of how long they have worked for their employer, will be eligible for two weeks paid leave. 

The new Act will be called Jack’s Law in memory of Lucy Herd’s son. Lucy spearheaded the campaign for change. 

Clea Harmer, chief executive of Sands, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity, told the BBC the new rules were a good start, but that the time off should be part of broader care for parents who have lost a child.

"A lot of parents, after the death of a baby or a child, suffer the sort of grief or reaction to grief that needs psychological intervention," she said. Time off and support early on can make a big difference, she said.  Continue reading