A Bill to amend the definition of still-birth to apply from 20 weeks into a pregnancy; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
21 October 2025
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Still-Birth (Definition) Bill aims to change the legal definition of stillbirth from 24 weeks to 20 weeks into pregnancy, and to align the period used for maternity benefits with this 20-week threshold. It applies to England and Wales and would take effect about two months after the Act becomes law. In the Lords, the bill is being considered in Committee, with debate focusing on Clause 1 and potential amendments to that main definition.
The Bill is in Committee stage in the Lords after its second reading in July 2025. Amendments aimed at blocking Clause 1 were noted but not enacted, and the process continues with debate on the main definition change.
Generated 21 February 2026
14 Oct 2024
4 Jul 2025
Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - took place on 4 July.
What happens next?
Committee stage - line by line examination of the bill - has yet to be scheduled.
This is the running list of amendments for the Still-Birth (Definition) Bill [HL], up to 21 October 2025. It records Baroness Watkins of Tavistock’s intention to oppose including Clause 1 in the Bill. The excerpt does not show specific amendments, only the procedural notice and the marking that amendments may be new or altered.
This is the Lords’ running list of amendments for the Still-Birth (Definition) Bill [HL] in Committee of the Whole House, up to 15 September 2025. It records amendments tabled (new or altered items marked with a star), but the excerpt highlights only Baroness Thornton’s notice of opposition to the Question that Clause 1 stand part of the Bill. In short, no specific amendments are detailed here beyond that procedural opposition to Clause 1.
Baroness Wheeler replies to Baroness Bottomley about Part 2 of the Civil Partnership, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 and the idea of giving coroners powers to investigate stillbirths. She notes a 2019 consultation and a 2023 summary, and says the Government is still considering the issues with the Ministry of Justice and will set out its position in due course. She adds that the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care may influence the overall landscape, with its terms of reference to be announced soon and final conclusions reflecting any relevant recommendations.
The Still-Birth (Definition) Bill would lower the gestational threshold for defining a still-born child from 24 weeks to 20 weeks in the Births and Deaths Registration Acts, and would align the definition of ‘confinement’ for maternity allowance and statutory maternity pay with this 20-week threshold. It applies to England and Wales only and would come into force two months after the Act is passed.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
