Constituents have contacted me regarding inequalities in pregnancy and baby loss.

I share concerns about regional, socioeconomic, and racial differences in health and care outcomes. Women from the poorest backgrounds and mothers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups are at higher risk of their baby dying in the womb or soon after birth.

The Government’s Women’s Health Strategy committed to reducing the disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes. This will include improving understanding about the underlying causes of pregnancy complications.

The Maternity Disparities Taskforce is also considering how to improve outcomes in maternity care for women from ethnic minority backgrounds. The Taskforce includes experts from the health service, Government and voluntary sector and meets every two months.

Baby loss is a concern that I have engaged with over several years since it was first raised in Parliament. I am pleased that it now has a much higher profile than years ago and there is more support for those who suffer baby loss. I therefore look forward to the outcome of the work of this taskforce with interest.