The United Kingdom’s newly appointed government maternity adviser has raised concerns that cost-cutting measures could jeopardize the safety and well-being of mothers and babies across the country. Michelle Welsh, a Labour MP who took on the role in May, cautioned that without increased funding, vital investigations into maternity safety might be neglected, undermining efforts to address longstanding disparities in care.

Welsh’s warnings come amid revelations that more than 4,600 investigations into maternity and newborn safety have been conducted in England since 2018. In addition, 59 major reports made over the past decade have delivered 748 recommendations aiming to improve maternity outcomes. Despite these efforts, the UK maternal death rate has increased by 50% over the same period, reaching its highest level in two decades.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Welsh emphasized the need for significant investment to transform maternity services into those providing person-centered, compassionate, and high-quality care. Speaking at the Make Birth Better Summit in London, she stressed that improvements could not be achieved without dedicated and ring-fenced funding. According to Welsh, staff require more support and time to deliver safe care, and increasing staffing levels is fundamental to meeting these goals.

The warnings arise as two major maternity inquiries prepare to release their findings. Donna Ockenden, a senior midwife, is set to publish a report on June 24 examining some 2,500 cases at Nottingham University Hospitals, marking the largest maternity investigation in NHS history. A broader inquiry, led by Baroness Amos, will follow with a report into persistent failings across 12 NHS trusts.

Welsh expressed concern that both inquiries might be “left on the shelf” unless backed by substantial government support. She called for maternity services to become more equitable, inclusive, and accessible, drawing attention to the “outrageous” inequalities faced by Black and Asian families and healthcare staff.

Her remarks come in the wake of reports indicating a sharp reduction in funding for maternity improvements. An investigation by the Health Service Journal found that ring-fenced funds dedicated to safety enhancements and staffing are set to fall drastically, from £95 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year to just £2 million in 2025/26.

Welsh underscored that compassionate, high-quality care depends on ensuring staff feel supported and have adequate time to provide attention to patients. She noted that recurring issues identified in past inquiries — including staffing shortages, failure to escalate care when necessary, communication breakdowns, and dismissing women’s concerns — have yet to be effectively addressed by successive governments.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said the government is committed to ensuring every woman receives safe and compassionate maternity care and emphasized its determination to drive urgent improvements in maternity services.