Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Wera Hobhouse Excerpts
Wednesday 19th March 2025

(2 days, 15 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Seema Malhotra Portrait Seema Malhotra
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The hon. Lady is absolutely right. It is important that we tackle religious and racial hatred in all its forms.

Wera Hobhouse Portrait Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)
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As well as overt discrimination, there are many hidden ethnic disparities, particularly in healthcare. Mortality rates in maternity services are four times higher for black women and twice as high for Asian women. What discussions is the Minister having with the Department of Health and Social Care to address those huge inequalities in maternity care?

Seema Malhotra Portrait Seema Malhotra
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The hon. Lady is absolutely right. There are stark inequalities in maternal health, mental health and a range of other areas, including infant mortality. She is absolutely right that that must be tackled. We are working across Government and with the Department of Health and Social Care on those issues.