Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Chair of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation regarding the threshold from which coronial involvement in relation to stillbirths should apply, and specifically about whether that threshold should be (1) 24, or (2) 37, weeks.

The independent investigation in National Health Service maternity and neonatal care led by Baroness Amos set out in its terms of reference that it will look to understand the potential role of coroners in the investigation of late term stillbirths and identify mistakes which would help prevent future deaths.

The investigations terms for reference were agreed by Baroness Amos and ministers and published on 15 September 2025. The Department is aware that Baroness Amos is also looking at earlier stillbirths and this was reflected in her interim report.

The final report and recommendations of Baroness Amos’ independent investigation will be published on 30 June.