Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether all integrated care systems have published equity and equality plans, and whether they have taken action to reduce inequalities in experience and outcomes as recommended by the three year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services, published on 30 March 2023.

As of 25 April 2024, 39 out of 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) have published Equity and Equality Action Plans. NHS England’s regional teams are supporting the remaining ICBs to publish their plans.

NHS England has provided more than £20 million in funding to local maternity and neonatal systems (LMNS) each year to lead improvement of maternity and neonatal care around objectives set out in the Three year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services, a copy of which is attached. This includes implementing LMNS Equity and Equality Action Plans. NHS England has also invested an annual recurrent £10 million to target action at the 10% most deprived areas of England, who we know are more likely to experience adverse outcomes during pregnancy and birth.