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Select Committee · Health and Social Care Committee

Black Maternal Health

Status: Open Opened: 6 May 2025 9 recommendations 11 conclusions 1 report

Black women in the UK are three times more likely to die in childbirth than White women, highlighting stark ethnic inequalities in maternal health outcomes. A 2022 Women and Equalities Committee inquiry identified systemic barriers, biases, and gaps in care. Several recent policies such as the Maternity Disparities Taskforce and the Women’s Health Strategy have …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
3rd Report - Black Maternal Health HC 895 17 Sep 2025 20 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
9 Recommendation 3rd Report - Black Maternal Health Rejected

Require the investigation to prioritise racial disparities and consider impact of funding cuts.

We recommend that addressing racial disparities in maternal outcomes is one of the investigation’s core aims, and that this features prominently in the terms of reference for the second stage. We recommend that the investigation aligns with the priorities outlined by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body, specifically the defining …

Government response. The government rejected the premise that maternity funding has been cut, stating that the same level of funding is provided but the ring-fence was removed to allow Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) more local flexibility. It did not directly address the …
Department of Health and Social Care
18 Conclusion 3rd Report - Black Maternal Health Rejected

Reduced Maternity Service Development Fund risks widening disparities and compromising critical reforms.

We are concerned by the Government’s decision to cut the Maternity Service Development Fund from £95 million to £2 million. While ICBs still have access to this funding, maternity services must now compete with other local priorities. While performance metrics in the 2025–26 NHS Assessment Framework aim to ensure accountability, …

Government response. The government asserts that maternity funding has not been cut, explaining the ring-fence was removed to provide local ICBs with greater autonomy and flexibility to meet local needs, a move consistent with wider policy. They clarify that NHS England does …
Department of Health and Social Care
19 Recommendation 3rd Report - Black Maternal Health Rejected

Restore dedicated ring-fenced funding for maternity care Service Development Fund to £95 million.

We strongly recommend that the Government restore the dedicated ring- fenced funding for the Service Development Fund for maternity care to £95 million. Properly targeted we believe this investment has the potential to reduce the substantial cost of maternity negligence claims to the NHS and more than pay for itself. …

Government response. The government rejected the recommendation to restore ring-fenced funding for maternity care, explaining that while funding levels are maintained, the ring-fence was removed to provide local healthcare system leaders with greater autonomy and flexibility.
Department of Health and Social Care

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
18 Jun 2025 Janet Fyle MBE · Royal College of Midwives, Kate Brintworth · NHS England, Professor Bola Owolabi · NHS England, Professor Hassan Shehata · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Professor Lucy Chappell · Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Sylvia Owusu-Nepaul · Birmingham and Solihull United Maternity & Newborn Partnership, The Baroness Merron · Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) View ↗
14 May 2025 Professor Marian Knight · National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Shanthi Gunesekera · Birthrights UK, Sonah Paton · Black Mothers Matter, Tinuke Awe · Five x More View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
14 Jul 2025 — Correspondence from Baroness Merron re Black Maternal Health