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Written Question
Coroners: Perinatal Mortality
Thursday 12th March 2026

Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to publish a report under section 4 of the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 on whether, and if so how, the law ought to be changed to enable or require coroners to investigate stillbirths; what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the absence of a published position on (a) accountability, (b) learning and (c) the prevention of future deaths; and if he will make an assessment of the reasons for the timing of the publication of the report.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all parents bereaved by baby loss. Bereavement is never easy, but the loss of a child is unimaginable, and we recognise the profound and lifelong impact this has on parents and families.

As I have previously set out in correspondence with the Right Honourable Member, the wider landscape of maternity investigations has continued to evolve since the publication of the consultation on the coronial investigation of stillbirths in 2019 and the factual summary of responses published in 2023.

Most recently, this Government commissioned the independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal care led by Baroness Amos. As outlined in the investigation’s terms of reference, it will, amongst other issues, look to consider the potential role of coroners in the investigation of late term stillbirths (37 weeks or later).

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the delay in publishing a decision in this area. It is important that the Government’s published position on coronial investigations of stillbirths is informed by any findings and relevant recommendations the independent investigation makes, and more broadly supports the most effective model for maternity investigation, including on vital issues such as learning and accountability. We intend to communicate our position on this issue after the investigation has published its final report in June 2026.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 11 Mar 2026
Protest Policing

"I very much welcome the Home Secretary’s decision. Iran has a track record of hostile activity in the United Kingdom. We have so many Iranians who have had to flee their home country for safety here in the UK, yet we still see charities effectively operating as proxies for the …..."
Gavin Williamson - View Speech

View all Gavin Williamson (Con - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) contributions to the debate on: Protest Policing
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 175 Noes - 292
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 172 Noes - 283
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 92 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 292 Noes - 161
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 96 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 174 Noes - 292
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Mar 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 104 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 203 Noes - 311
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Mar 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 104 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 304 Noes - 203
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 10 Mar 2026
Digital ID: Public Consultation

"Before I purchase something at the supermarket, I want to know what the price is. The Minister seems to be lacking clarity on how much this is going to cost. Can he give that clarity?..."
Gavin Williamson - View Speech

View all Gavin Williamson (Con - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge) contributions to the debate on: Digital ID: Public Consultation
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Gavin Williamson (Con) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative No votes vs 0 Conservative Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 309 Noes - 181