News · 9 December 2025
Labour proposes bereavement leave for wider family
Labour's Employment Rights Bill includes proposals to allow workers a week of unpaid bereavement leave following deaths of extended family members, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and 'chosen family' such as close friends. The leave would be available from day one of employment and must be taken within 56 days of the death. The consultation runs until January 15, 2026. Business groups warn of hidden costs and difficulties in workforce planning, while the proposals reflect government recognition of modern diverse family structures in Britain.
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