Two weeks will make such a difference: UK first as NI brings in miscarriage leave
New Leave Policy in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has introduced a groundbreaking measure, becoming the first region in the UK to offer two weeks of paid leave for parents experiencing a miscarriage at any stage of pregnancy. This support applies to both the mother and her partner, allowing them time to grieve and process the emotional impact of their loss.
Erin Sharkey, a volunteer with the Miscarriage Association, highlighted how this policy will “give people the validation for their feelings, and time to process the loss together.” Previously, she and others faced societal pressure to return to work quickly after a miscarriage. Now, with the new provision, parents can take up to two weeks of paid leave, either as a single block or split into two separate periods, within 56 weeks of the event. The leave is funded at the statutory rate of over £194 per week or 90% of weekly pay, whichever is lower. No medical evidence is required, only a statement about the miscarriage.
Comparative Context
Before this change, Northern Ireland’s bereavement leave rules only allowed two weeks of paid time off following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, provided the parent had worked for at least 26 weeks. This remains the standard in the rest of the UK. However, the Westminster government plans to expand similar provisions to England, Scotland, and Wales by 2027, offering a minimum of one week of unpaid leave after any miscarriage.
Testimonies of Emotional Support
“The two weeks of leave will give such an opportunity for people to take control of what they want for their own journey – as opposed to falling back into the lifestyle of who they feel they were before the loss,” said Megan Crowe, a therapist at the White Butterfly Foundation. She emphasized that the policy allows couples to “be in the present moment to help them get support early.”
Selina Casey, founder of the White Butterfly Foundation, shared a personal story that underscores the importance of this support. After losing her third child in 2021, she described the emotional turmoil of being told there was no heartbeat during a routine appointment. Three days later, she gave birth to her son and immediately left with him “in a tiny casket and a leaflet for a support group.” “Then, five days on, that’s when I was able to start grieving,” she reflected.
Rebecca Hutchinson, who lost her son Freddie at 12 weeks in 2025, described the chaos of the situation. “I had just been for my 20-week scan and all was looking well. But a week later I went into early labour,” she recounted. Freddie was taken to Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool for a post-mortem examination. “The time from when I went into labour until Freddie’s funeral was exactly a week. Looking back, it just felt chaotic, because it all happened so quickly. It took time for the shock to hit me,” she said.
Victoria Wylie came
