Lanarkshire MP urges UK Government to back paid miscarriage leave becoming a right as it has second reading

dailyrecord.co.uk:

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.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android 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.