Campaigner calls miscarriage law change 'amazing'

Tash Allin, from Leominster, had three miscarriages and is one of many parents who have called for reforms

A woman who campaigned for changes to bereavement leave after having three miscarriages said it was "amazing" that a planned law would cover more families.

The government is set to amend the Employment Rights Bill, which is making its way through Parliament, to give parents a legal right to time off work if they experience pregnancy loss at any stage.

Bereavement leave is currently only available to parents who lose an unborn child after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

"For anybody in the future who does have to go through [a miscarriage], all that stress and that campaigning has been worth it," said Tash Allin, from Leominster, who was nine weeks pregnant when she had her third miscarriage.

"It's crucial - to be able to get over such an upsetting life experience, you need that time," she told BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester.

She added that she was one of many women and men who had campaigned on the issue and it felt "amazing" to have helped bring about change.

'Bottled up emotions'

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 also be decided following a consultation.

Ms Allin said she had a supportive employer when she had her most recent miscarriage, but she had harder experiences during some of her pregnancy losses.

"It was very much, 'I'm so sorry to hear it, but when are you coming back?' That was how the conversation went," she said.

"When your boss is saying that, you do feel pressure to go back and therefore you just kind of have to bottle up your emotions."

Ms Allin, who has two children, added that she hoped the final bill would contain a right to leave that lasted more than one week.