PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Paid bereavement leave (12 November 2020)

That this House recognises that losing a loved one can be one of the most difficult and painful challenges that many of us face; further recognises that common symptoms of grief include feeling shocked and numb, overwhelming sadness, tiredness or exhaustion, anger and guilt; notes that an employee has the right to time off if a dependent dies but that under current legislation, statutory bereavement pay is only available to eligible parents if their children die before they turn 18, or if a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy; further notes that research commissioned by the charity Sue Ryder calculates that grief experienced by employees who have lost a loved one costs the UK economy £23 billion a year through reduced productivity, and the Treasury nearly £8 billion as a result of reduced tax revenues and increased use of NHS and social care resources; and calls on the Government to urgently consult with stakeholders on the best way to introduce paid bereavement leave, with a view to introducing a statutory right to two weeks.

Sponsored by:
Jonathan Edwards (Independent)