Story perspectives

UK PM Announces Two Weeks Bereavement Leave Rights From 2027

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 10:08 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new bereavement leave rights that start in April 2027.
Eligible employees may take up to two weeks unpaid leave after losing a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling.
The entitlement also includes step, half, adoptive, kinship-care and foster relationships.
Women and partners experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks receive two weeks unpaid bereavement leave.
The Employment Rights Act grants a day-one right to unpaid bereavement leave for all eligible staff.

History

Historical Context

The Employment Rights Act 1996, driven by Labour minister Barbara Roche, first gave workers a statutory one-day unpaid dependants’ leave for emergencies. Andy Burnham’s 2027 proposal to extend unpaid bereavement leave to two weeks for spouses, partners, children and pregnancy loss builds on that precedent, with the TUC and Department for Business and Trade expected to shape implementation.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced new bereavement leave rights that start in April 2027.
Eligible employees may take up to two weeks unpaid leave after losing a spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling.
The entitlement also includes step, half, adoptive, kinship-care and foster relationships.
Women and partners experiencing pregnancy loss before 24 weeks receive two weeks unpaid bereavement leave.
The Employment Rights Act grants a day-one right to unpaid bereavement leave for all eligible staff.

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