UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says women who suffer miscarriage will be entitled to two weeks’ leave from next year.

The prime minister announced the new development in a statement on social media on Tuesday, dismissing the current work rule that prevents women who suffered a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy from taking bereavement leave.

“It’s estimated that one in five women in the UK will experience a miscarriage in their lifetime.

“But if you lose a pregnancy before 24 weeks, there is currently no legal right to bereavement leave,” Mr Burnham said. “I don’t think that’s right.”

Mr Burnham said from next April, women who suffer a miscarriage would be entitled to two weeks’ leave.

“Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. You and your partner shouldn’t have to worry about going straight back to work. So we’re changing the law. From April, women and their partners will be entitled to two weeks off after any pregnancy loss,” Mr Burnham said. 

“And we’re making wider changes, with new rights to time off when you lose someone you love. When you’re grieving, you deserve the time and space to do that,” he added.