Victory For George’s Law Campaign: Solicitor Who Led The Crusade Heralds “Momentous Moment”

Reforms that will see expectant parents who suffer a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy granted a right to bereavement leave were today described as “momentous” – by the solicitor who has led the fight for change.

Keeley Lengthorn has spent years using her George’s Law campaign to tirelessly crusade on behalf of parents forced back to work after losing a child.

Under current archaic legislation, parents are not entitled to any paid time off work if they lose a baby under 24 weeks gestation.

But now, thanks to the new Labour Government, an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill will allow two weeks leave for those who suffer a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks gestation.

The announcement comes three years after the death of Keeley’s son George, who was born at 22 and half weeks on 3rd March 2022.

Keeley, family partner at RWK Goodman also suffered two miscarriages before George’s death, said it was “particularly poignant” the announcement had come three years to the day of her son’s passing.

She said: “This law change is a momentous moment. It will bring comfort and support to so many people across the country who currently have to suffer the trauma of returning to work immediately after losing their child.

“I am overwhelmed and speechless and truly grateful that the Government has finally recognised the need for this bereavement leave.

Explaining how many people will now benefit she continued: “Miscarriages happen to one in five families and so these new reforms will help approximately 250,000 families per year. The fact that this announcement was made on what would have been George’s 3rd birthday makes it all the more prevalent.

“When George died, I made a promise to him that I would ensure that his tiny footprints would create a huge legacy and a voice for change and he has done just that. I am a very proud mum”.

The decision to extend this right to couples who suffer a miscarriage before 24 weeks marks a victory for the Labour MP Sarah Owen, who has campaigned for the change. The women and equalities select committee, which Owen chairs, concluded in a report in January that the case for it was “overwhelming”.

Although a growing number of employers already offer the leave as a discretionary extra benefit, the committee said this should become a universal right given the far-reaching physical and emotional impacts of baby loss.

About 250,000 expectant mothers in the UK suffer a miscarriage every year. Between 10% and 20% of pregnancies end in an early miscarriage within the first 12 weeks of gestation.

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