In today’s Budget the Government has revealed that a single parent receiving Universal Credit and working 25 hours a week on the National Living Wage will receive an extra £890 next year. The government also announced further details on a new statutory entitlement to two weeks’ of bereavement leave for employees following the stillbirth of a child, after 24 weeks of pregnancy which will come into force in April 2020.
Right To Life have welcomed these inclusions in the Budget and spokesperson, Clare McCarthy said:
“This announcement is good news for single parents as it provides a practical solution to help parents who are struggling financially. We want to see the government continuing to make these pro-women changes in policy to better financially support single parents and their children.
“We also welcome the introduction of entitlement to bereavement leave for parents grieving the loss of a stillborn baby. We would like to see this bereavement leave extended further, to the loss of a child before twenty-four weeks. The loss and pain of losing a child, no matter how small, can never be underestimated. There is no time limit on grief and this should be reflected in Government policy.”
ENDS
- For additional quotes and media interviews contact 07847 454108 or email press@righttolife.org.uk
- For further information on Right To Life visit www.righttolife.org.uk
