Leominster campaigner says miscarriage leave change is 'amazing'
"It's crucial - to be able to get over such an upsetting life experience, you need that time," she told BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester.She added that she was one of many women and men who had campaigned on the issue and it felt "amazing" to have helped bring about change.
'Bottled up emotions'
The proposed extended right to leave would be unpaid and last for at least one week, though the exact length is still being consulted on.Further details, including who will be eligible and whether a doctor's note would be required, will also be decided following a consultation.Ms Allin said she had a supportive employer when she had her most recent miscarriage, but she had harder experiences during some of her pregnancy losses."It was very much, 'I'm so sorry to hear it, but when are you coming back?' That was how the conversation went," she said."When your boss is saying that, you do feel pressure to go back and therefore you just kind of have to bottle up your emotions."Ms Allin, who has two children, added that she hoped the final bill would contain a right to leave that lasted more than one week.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘Shovel-ready' renewables prioritised as grid connections queue gets shake-up
New 'shovel-ready' wind and solar farms will be prioritised to connect to the grid, operators said as they kickstarted moves to shake up the gridlocked connections queue. The existing first-come, first-served approach to the grid connections queue, which operators say has led to unviable and speculative schemes holding up clean energy projects that are ready to plug in, has been scrapped. The National Energy System Operator (Neso) said it was opening a three-week application window on Tuesday for more than 5,000 energy generation and demand projects in the queue to submit evidence to support their connection to the grid as it undertakes a major reordering of the system. The new plan will see clean energy projects that can be up and running by 2030 prioritised, in a bid to help Labour hit its goal to near fully powering the country with clean electricity by the end of the decade, and to boost economic growth. Neso said the connections queue had grown tenfold in just five years, and currently stands at 738 gigawatts (GW) – more than four times the amount of clean energy generation that is required by 2030 to meet Government goals. The assessment process, which will prioritise projects on the basis of how ready they are and alignment with the UK's clean energy goals, aims to connect the 170 GW of power needed by 2030. Kayte O'Neill, chief operating officer, National Energy System Operator, said: 'Neso opening the evidence window today is a key moment in the once-in-a-lifetime transformation of our electricity network, and a vital step for delivering clean power by 2030, while also helping supercharge economic growth for Great Britain. 'By prioritising agreements for projects that are critical and shovel-ready, developers will get the certainty they need to support investment decisions. 'It also gives energy consumers, from households and hospitals to electric car charging stations and data centres, the confidence of clean and stable power for generations to come. 'We advise all applicants to ensure they submit the correct evidence, so that we can assess applications fully and fairly.' Energy minister Michael Shanks said: 'Today marks a milestone in our work to overhaul the connections queue and unleash ready-to-go clean power projects that will help us reach our 2030 target. ' Developers in the queue now have the chance to demonstrate to Neso that their projects are ready to progress.' He added the move would take Britain closer to an energy system that takes the country 'off the rollercoaster of global fossil fuel markets and can bring bills down for good'. Applicants in the queue have until July 29 to submit evidence, with those meeting the criteria placed in a 'gate 2' queue and receiving an updated connection offer, prioritising those due to connect in 2026 and 2027. Neso said it aims to have made all offers for projects needed to meet the 2030 goals by early next year. Those who do not meet the criteria will get a 'gate 1' offer, remaining in the system but without a connection date. They can reapply through future biannual application windows or withdraw their scheme.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
52,000 petals fall in St Paul's to remember 52 victims of 7/7 bombings 20 years on
As the white petals fell from the dome of St Paul's, so did the tears. The Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined victims' families, survivors and emergency workers at St Paul's Cathedral yesterday to mark the 20th anniversary of the July 7 London bombings. During the memorial service, the cathedral was filled with 52,000 white petals fluttering through the air like snow flakes as the names of the 52 dead were read out. One victim's daughter, Saba Edwards, stoically read the names of those who died on the Piccadilly Line bombing, but her voice cracked and she was unable to hold back the tears as she came to her own mother Behnaz Mozakka. Thelma Stober – who survived the Aldgate bomb but suffered life-changing injuries including the loss of her lower left leg – struggled to contain her emotions as she also read the names. During the emotional service, tributes were paid to those who lost their lives as well as the hundreds injured in the attacks on three Tube trains and a double-decker bus in the worst single terrorist atrocity on British soil. Survivors and relatives of those killed in the bombings spoke movingly about how the areas involved in the attacks have changed in the past 20 years. Ellie Patsalos, the wife of Professor Philip Patsalos, who lost a leg in the blast between King's Cross and Russell Square stations, said: 'Here, men and women seek understanding and their search for truth challenges the ignorance which casts so much darkness over our world.' With Keir Starmer at the commemorative ceremony were Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Yesterday the Prime Minister laid wreaths at the July 7 memorial in Hyde Park at 8.50am to coincide with the time the first bomb went off. He was joined by officials including Scotland Yard Commissioner Mark Rowley, and the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi. Prince William was also at the Hyde Park memorial, laying a floral tribute and listening to testimonies given by family members of those who died and people present at the attacks. Sir Keir said: 'Today the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever. 'We honour the courage shown that day – the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of survivors, and the unity of Londoners in the face of terror. Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now, against hate and for the values that define us: freedom, democracy and the rule of law.' The Home Secretary added: 'Twenty years have passed since 7/7 but the passage of time makes what happened that day no less shocking. It was an appalling attack on our capital city and on democracy itself.' Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. He added, 'We also pay tribute to those who ran towards danger on that terrible day... their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.'
The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ministers in talks with City over climate finance for disaster-hit nations
Senior Cabinet ministers including Rachel Reeves and David Lammy are to meet City chiefs for talks on how to unlock UK private sector climate finance and disaster risk insurance for countries facing extreme weather events. The Foreign Secretary has pledged £12 million from the Government's tightened aid budget in a bid to enable faster payouts for nations experiencing climate shocks like hurricanes and tornadoes. Mr Lammy will join the Chancellor, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed for the first meeting between multiple Cabinet ministers and finance leaders on Tuesday. The group is expected to discuss how the sector can play a part in channelling investment into climate initiatives in emerging markets. The Government hopes the £12 million for pre-arranged finance for disaster relief and risk insurance will cut the cost of responding to extreme weather events, and the time it takes for countries to recover from such shocks. This funding is triggered by certain warning signs — such as a forecast or weather event itself — to enable faster payouts, the Foreign Office said. It comes after the Government slashed the UK's overseas aid budget from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3% in order to pay for increased defence spending. The UK's climate finance commitments come from its aid budget. The Foreign Secretary said: 'The climate and nature crisis is the greatest global challenge we face. Failure to act will cause unprecedented environmental damage, fuelling displacement, conflict and famine. 'Tackling this crisis is also a huge opportunity for people and businesses here in the UK, delivering on our Plan for Change. The green sector is worth trillions of pounds, and I'm determined that we seize on the economic growth, jobs and security it offers. 'The City of London, the world's leading sustainable development financing hub, has a crucial role to play in this.'
