Ellesmere Port Mum Backs New Bereavement Law for Parents Facing Pregnancy Loss

An Ellesmere Port mother has joined forces with her MP to back new legislation granting time off work for parents who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.

Claire Anderson is supporting the Government’s upcoming introduction of statutory bereavement leave which will allow parents time to grieve following the loss of an unborn baby earlier in pregnancy.

Her local MP, Justin Madders, who represents Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, is driving the change through Parliament in his role as employment rights minister.

Claire, who heartbreakingly lost two sons—Joseph and Samuel—both at just over 20 weeks during separate pregnancies, believes the law is long overdue.

She said:

“For families like mine, this is a very welcome and overdue change. The law, as it was, helped perpetuate the idea that our babies were ‘less than’ or that their loss wasn’t as serious as babies lost later in pregnancy or after birth.

“All baby loss matters, and all babies matter. Whatever anyone’s politics, this was the right thing to do.”

Claire, who is also mum to Melissa (7), Ellie (15) and Stephen (14), now devotes her time to supporting other families through pregnancy and baby loss.

She added:

“Everyone grieves differently, but they should at least have the choice to take time off work if they need to process what’s happened.

“And in all innocence, colleagues might ask, ‘How are you feeling?’ or ‘When are you due?’—which can be very overwhelming.”

Mr Madders recently met with Claire at his Ellesmere Port office to discuss the forthcoming changes.

He said:

“The loss of a baby at any stage is an incredibly difficult personal experience, and there is a clear gap in support for those who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks and need time to recover and grieve.”

The MP thanked Claire for her ongoing work supporting bereaved families, saying she brings “real comfort to lots of people”.

Each year, Claire organises a local memorial service as part of the global Wave of Light event during Baby Loss Awareness Week (October 9–15).

This year’s service will take place on Wednesday, October 15th, at Trinity Methodist Church, Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port.

For more information, email:

claire.anderson72@btinternet.com

Pictured - Justin Madders and Claire Anderson.