DUNFERMLINE and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman has backed a campaign to introduce paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, however, under current legislation, workers are only entitled to paid bereavement leave following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Mr Chapman said: "I know many parents in Dunfermline and West Fife have experienced miscarriage and too many of them have to rely on their employer’s goodwill or take sick leave when it happens.

“Miscarriage is no-one’s fault yet the stigma associated can often put parents in a position where they are unable to properly grieve their loss.

“Countries like Australia and New Zealand have already taken the progressive step to ensure all parents affected by miscarriage are entitled to paid leave.

“It is time that the UK followed in their footsteps and I will be supporting this bill to provide the support grieving parents need and finally end the stigma associated with miscarriage.”

A private members’ bill which would see three days of paid leave for parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks will receive its second reading in the House of Commons this month.

A petition has also been launched, calling on the UK Government to support the bill.