A BILL sponsored by Thirsk MP Kevin Hollinrake calling for grieving parents to be given paid leave will be scrutinised in the House of Commons.

The private member’s bill, entitled Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill, received its first reading in the Commons last July and its second in October.

The next stage - the committee stage - will take place on January 31, according to the UK Parliament website.

This will involve the scrutinising of the Bill by a Public Bill Committee, which takes evidence from experts and interest groups from outside Parliament.

There is currently no legal requirement for employers to provide paid time off for grieving parents.

The proposed law would give employed parents two-weeks paid leave if they lose a child under the age of 18.

Mr Hollinrake said he was looking forward to seeing the bill progress.

He added: “I am pleased that the measure has received wide support from the Government and both sides of the House.