Government Maternity Disparities Taskforce Only Met Twice Last Year

The government taskforce responsible for tackling disparities in maternity care only met twice in 2023, despite its terms of reference saying it would meet every two months.

In a letter to Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities Anneliese Dodds, Minister for Women Maria Caulfield revealed the Maternity Disparities Taskforce last met on Wednesday 31 January, and before that had met on 5th September 2023 and Tuesday 18 April 2023. 

The taskforce was established in 2022, stating in its terms of reference that meetings would be held every two months for an hour and a half discussion on key priorities and progress with delivery of interventions.

Senior Labour figures have criticised the taskforce for not taking “immediate action” and have warned that the Government is on track to miss its ambition to halve maternal mortality between 2010 and 2025. According to MBRRACE-UK, the annual investigation into the deaths of women during pregnancy and childbirth, the 2019-21 maternal mortality rate was 11.66 per 100,000 maternities. This is an increase from a rate of 10.63 ten years ago in 2009-2011.

Abena Oppong-Asare, Shadow Minister for Women’s Health and Mental Health, said: “The rate of Black and Asian women dying in pregnancy or childbirth has been too high for too long. In fact, the number of women dying has reached its highest level in almost 20 years.  

“Instead of taking immediate action to address this unacceptable reality, this Government’s Maternity Disparities Taskforce only met twice in 2023.”

The objectives of the taskforce were to tackle disparities in maternity care by improving access to effective pre-conception care and maternity care for women from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas.