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George’s Law was boosted by a huge victory in March 2025 when the Government announced it was adding bereavement leave after suffering a miscarriage to its workers' rights reforms. 

Changes to the Employment Rights Bill would give mothers and their partners the right to paid leave if they have suffered a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation. The law change is set to help 250,000 families.

For Keeley Lenghtorn, the founder of George’s Law, the announcement was especially poignant as it was made on the day her son, George Emmett, would have turned three. 

‘It is more than we ever could have hoped for,’ Keeley told the media. 

“I got the message about the law change and I was just stunned into silence. Part of me feels I should be sad, especially as I found out on his birthday. But to know his memory is going to help 250,000 families a year is absolutely massive.’

In July there was a further announcement when it was reported the government was ready to officially amend the Employment Rights Bill to give parents the legal right to take time off work to grieve if they experience pregnancy loss at any stage.

Then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the change would give "people time away from work to grieve".

"No one who is going through the heartbreak of pregnancy loss should have to go back to work before they are ready," Rayner said.

Parents are currently entitled  to a fortnight's leave if they suffer pregnancy loss after 24 weeks, or if a child younger than 18 dies. 

They can also be eligible for two weeks' statutory parental bereavement pay - either £187.18 a week or 90% of average weekly earnings, whichever is the lower - if they have been working for their employer for at least 26 weeks. 

The proposed extended right to leave would be unpaid and last for at least one week, though the exact length is still being consulted on.

Further details - including who will be eligible and whether a doctor's note would be required - will be decided in the future. The measure would apply in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland.

The Commons Women and Equalities committee has previously called on the government to offer two weeks paid leave for miscarriages before 24 weeks, which will be the same rights afforded to those who lose a baby after 24 weeks.

George’s Law continues to push for a two-week period of paid leave.

Keeley said: “At the moment, we’re being asked to take it as sick leave. And of course, when you lose a baby, it’s not sick leave.

“I lost George at 22 and a half weeks. He was a baby. I bathed him, I dressed him, I buried him, and for the law to say, ‘oh, go back to work the next day’ it’s just not appropriate. I've said it before and I have to repeat it bereavement leave is not and never should be classed as sick leave."