# Day-one right to bereavement leave from April 2027

> “It sets out the final details of the bereavement leave entitlement, and the next steps for its implementation. These details will be laid out in secondary legislation and are planned to come into force in April 2027.”
>
> — Kate Dearden, Minister for the Future of Work, Labour Party; Written ministerial statement, 13 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Transport & economy](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/transport-and-economy)
- **Speaker:** [Kate Dearden](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/kate-dearden), Minister for the Future of Work
- **Party:** [Labour Party](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/labour)
- **Made on:** 13 October 2026
- **Where:** Written ministerial statement
- **Deadline:** 30 April 2027
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Employees who lose a loved one, including through pregnancy loss before 24 weeks
- **When:** Planned to come into force in April 2027
- **Paid for by:** Not stated when it was announced
- **Quote source:** https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-10-13/HCWS372 (checked word for word on 16 October 2026; Open Parliament Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 16 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-bereavement-leave-2027

## Where it stands

The Employment Rights Act 2025 gives the power to create a day-one right to bereavement leave for the loss of loved ones, including pregnancy loss before 24 weeks; currently only parents who lose a child aged under 18, or stillborn from 24 weeks, have a statutory right. The government's consultation response, published on 22 September 2026, sets the final details, to be laid in secondary legislation; the statement does not give the length of leave. "In April 2027" is read as 30 April 2027. The card moves when the regulations are made.

## Timeline

- 13 October 2026, Promised: The minister for the future of work says the bereavement leave entitlement is planned to come into force in April 2027
- 30 April 2027, Deadline (to come): Day-one bereavement leave due in force in April 2027

## About the cost

No cost has been published.

## Sources

- [Written ministerial statement HCWS372, 13 Oct 2026: Make Work Pay Implementation](https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2026-10-13/HCWS372)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 16 October 2026.

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