All parents who lose children should be legally entitled to leave from work, says Tory MP

BEREAVED parents must be entitled by law to two weeks leave from work, a backbench MP will argue this week.

Tragedy-struck mums and dads have to rely on goodwill from their employers for time off if their child dies.

Currently, laws  allow parents whose children are stillborn or babies who die before birth to have a right to time off.

Tory MP Will Quince will argue that some parents may need longer than the government guide of just a few days - but without statutory backing.

He will raise the paternity and maternity issues in a ten-minute rule motion in the Commons’ this week.  It comes as around 5000 children die every year.

Quince’s son Robert was stillborn in October 2014 after being diagnosed with Edwards’ Syndrome but survived until full term.  He was entitled to two weeks off work.

But he said: “When parents go through one of the most distressing and emotional life events possible, they should have the full backing of the law.

“Most employers are brilliant and sensitive but sadly some are not.  The government has a role to play in ensuring employees have a level of protection and they can take time off to cope with their terrible loss.”

He added:  “Thinking about the parents of children over 6 months old, why should they not have the same protection in law as those that lose a baby under 6 months old?”

When parents go through one of the most distressing and emotional life events possible, they should have the full backing of the law

Tory MP Will Quince

He will raise the issue in a ten-minute rule bill in the Commons this week.

The scheme would cost taxpayers no more than £2million per year.