Introduce two weeks’ paid bereavement leave, MPs tell ministers

Ministers are facing calls to introduce a minimum of two weeks’ paid bereavement leave following the death of a close relative or partner.

A coalition of MPs, business chiefs and charities have called for the measure in the face of the mounting Covid-19 death toll.

The government has so far been reluctant to introduce statutory bereavement leave.  

Currently, in the UK there is no legal requirement for employers to grant bereavement leave, except for parents who have lost a child under the age of 18. It is otherwise entirely at the employer’s discretion.

But Carl Ennis, the UK boss of engineering giant Siemens, said the coronavirus pandemic showed "we need to take a more empathetic and holistic approach to bereavement".

Ministers have argued that extending entitlements to paid bereavement leave would come at a significant cost to the public purse and place extra burdens on employers at a time when many are struggling.

However, economic research by bereavement charity Sue Ryder suggested the grief experienced by employees who have lost a loved one costs the UK economy £23bn a year and hits the Treasury by nearly £8bn a year through reduced tax revenues and increased use of NHS and social care resources.

The charity suggests that, while investing in adequate bereavement leave and support may result in initial short-term costs, it would lead to a significant saving for the UK economy and the Treasury in the long-term, through reduced staff absence, higher employee productivity and a lesser reliance on the health and benefits system post-bereavement.

Chief executive Heidi Travis said it was not appropriate for people to rely on annual leave or unpaid time off to cope in the aftermath of a death.

She said: "Bereavement is not a holiday. Moreover, it is often the lower paid and those in less secure employment who are unable to take time off to start processing their pain - they may not have the option of flexible working, cannot call in sick and unpaid leave is not a viable alternative.

"Coronavirus has already led to an increase in bereavement across the UK, devastating thousands of families.

"At this time of national crisis, introducing a more compassionate approach to bereavement leave is paramount."

The coalition, which includes senior MPs and representatives from Hospice UK, Cruse Bereavement Care and the Royal College of Physicians, has written to business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng calling for a change in policy.

Siemens boss Mr Ennis, part of the coalition, said: "As the government looks to 'build back better', we believe that introducing statutory bereavement leave for an immediate family member or partner is a clear example of a bold, compassionate and caring commitment to UK workers, particularly after the devastating year we had in 2020."

Debbie Abrahams, a Labour member of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee, said the pandemic had "cast a spotlight on the urgent need to better support people who are dealing with grief".