Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the 1,000 roles for newly qualified midwives announced in response to Baroness Amos’s investigation are temporary and not permanent.

We recognise that student midwives are a vital part of our future workforce, providing essential care and support to women, babies and families across maternity services.

Temporary posts give providers flexibility to recruit ahead of turnover, so newly qualified midwives can start work quickly rather than waiting for vacancies. This period will be used to stabilise services and support newly qualified midwives into practice, with the expectation they move into permanent roles as vacancies arise through normal turnover.