The move comes after a report from the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) concluded that a period of paid leave 'should be available to all women and partners who experience a pre-24-week pregnancy loss', adding 'the case for a minimum standard in law is overwhelming'.

The report revealed the committee's intention to table amendments to the bill and called on ministers to support or adopt them.

Business and trade minister Justin Madders said WEC's report ‘demonstrated a clear gap in support', adding the Government ‘fully accepts the principle of bereavement leave for pregnancy loss'.

He said ‘bereavement is not an illness' and pregnancy loss ‘does need its own special category'.

The law would cover those who experience miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, in vitro fertilisation embryo transfer loss, and terminations for medical reasons.