Consultation on parental bereavement leave and pay

Following the introduction of a Private Members’ Bill last year, the government is consulting on some of the detail surrounding a proposed new right to parental bereavement leave and pay.

What does the parental bereavement leave and pay bill say?

The Parental Bereavement (Pay and Leave) Bill 2017-19 is supported by the government and is likely to be passed by parliament. The Bill gives bereaved parents two weeks' leave if they lose a child under 18. The right will apply to all employees and leave will be paid for those who have a minimum of 26 weeks’ continuous service. Pay will be at the prescribed rate (currently £145.18) or 90% of earnings, if lower.  

Small employers will be able to recover all statutory parental bereavement pay, whilst larger employers will be able to reclaim most of it. 

The consultation seeks views on:

• Who should be included in the definition of a parent for these purposes;
• Whether the proposed two weeks' leave should be taken in a single block, non-consecutive blocks of a week or more flexibly;
• The period within which leave should be taken – the Bill provides that leave should be taken within 8 weeks of the child’s death but Regulations can provide for a longer period;
• Whether parents will have to give notice to take the leave; and 
• Whether parents should have to provide evidence of the right to take the leave. 

Responses to Consultation on Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay are required by 8 June.