To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any plans he has to extend entitlement to parental bereavement leave and pay to parents who suffer a miscarriage prior to 24 weeks gestation; and (ii) the reasons for this extension.

Miscarriage is a devastating event that unfortunately many prospective parents will face. It is also an issue to which I have given careful consideration during the passage of the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill.

As you will be aware, the Assembly amended the Bill at Consideration stage to extend, subject to modification, Parental Bereavement leave and pay provision to those that experience a miscarriage. This amendment will enable regulations to be brought forward to include miscarriage as a condition of entitlement to parental bereavement leave and pay, in due course.

The Bill has now completed its passage through the Assembly having secured final stage on the 7 February. All efforts now turn to the secondary legislation required to introduce Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay, akin to provision in GB, by 6 April 2022. Once this milestone has been reached my departmental officials will start to prepare to consult on miscarriage leave and pay. It will be for the next Economy Minister to commence that consultation.

I would also take this opportunity to reemphasise that many good employers already treat their employees with compassion and empathy in such distressing circumstances and I would encourage all employers to treat their employees in this way.