Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that pregnant women receive equitable care during (a) pregnancy and (b) childbirth.

On 23 February 2022, we announced plans to establish a Maternity Disparities Taskforce to tackle disparities for mothers and babies and reduce maternal and neonatal deaths by improving access to equitable maternity care for mothers and babies from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas.

On 6 September 2021, NHS England and NHS Improvement published their Equity and Equality guidance for Local Maternity Systems to reduce disparities in health outcomes for women and babies from black, Asian and mixed ethnic groups and those living in the most deprived areas. This includes an investment of £6.8 million to support the implementation of local action plans.

Evidence that suggests continuity of carer is most effective for vulnerable and disadvantaged women. By 2024, we have committed that 75% of women from a black/black British and Asian/Asian British ethnic background and women from the 10% of neighbourhoods that are most deprived nationally will receive continuity of carer.