New report reveals stark need for urgent action to save more babies’ lives and tackle inequalities in pregnancy and birth

Tommy’s Chief Executive Kath Abrahams described new data released by MBRRACE-UK on stillbirth and neonatal deaths as “sobering and unacceptable”, adding that “we are not on track to meet the current ambitions to make the make pregnancy and birth safe for all women and birthing people and to save babies’ lives.”

A new report published by MBRRACE-UK which investigates the perinatal deaths of babies has revealed that while stillbirth rates decreased across the UK, the number of neonatal deaths within the first 28 days of birth had increased.

The ‘state of the nation’ report looks at data between the period of 1 January to 31 December 2022.

Three quarters of neonatal deaths are among babies born premature (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy). Recent data from the ONS showed an increase in the proportion of babies born premature between 2020 and 2022, showing that we are still not making progress fast enough. 

Progress to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths in the UK has stalled

Line graph showing that stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates in the UK are no longer reducing at the same rate they were 10 years ago

As highlighted in the latest progress report by the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit in May 2024, there is unacceptable variation in neonatal care across the country, meaning that babies born premature are not consistently receiving best-practice care.

Continuing to highlight existing disparities we’ve previously reported, between 2021 and 2022, there was also an increase in the neonatal mortality rate for babies born to mothers from the most deprived areas of the UK, which is now twice as high as the rate in the least deprived. Among babies of Asian ethnicity, rates of neonatal death have been increasing since 2020. Rates of neonatal death among babies of Black and Asian ethnicity are over 50% higher than for White babies.

Despite the gap narrowing in 2022, there continue to be wide inequalities in rates of stillbirth by ethnicity and deprivation. Babies of Black ethnicity are still more than twice as likely to be stillborn than babies of White ethnicity.

In 2022, neonatal mortality rates among Asian and Black babies were over 50% higher than the rate among White babies

Bar graph showing that the neonatal mortality rate per 1,000 live births is 2.5 for Asian babies and 2.4 for Black babies, while it's 1.6 for White babies

The Labour Government must address inequalities in pregnancy and birth

The Labour manifesto promises that no matter your background, you can thrive. This must start from pregnancy and birth. The new Government must commit to a much more comprehensive approach to addressing these stark inequalities in baby loss and set a target for eliminating them.

While there was a welcome decrease in rates of stillbirth between 2021 and 2022, the rate remains the same as it was in 2019. The previous Government set ambitions in England to reduce rates of neonatal mortality and stillbirth by 2025, which we are not on track to meet. The new Government must renew these ambitions, but with the focus to make sure they can be achieved.

Analysis by the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit has highlighted how existing commitments to invest in maternity and neonatal services have not kept up with inflation.

Read more on why we think the new Government must commit to transformative change to save more babies’ lives.

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s said:

Behind each of these figures is a family devastated by baby loss. Despite improvements in some areas, it is sobering that neonatal deaths have increased, and it is unacceptable that there continue to be wide inequalities in rates of baby loss by ethnicity and deprivation.

"As we welcome a new Government promising change, the timing of this report is a stark reminder that urgent action is needed now to save more babies’ lives and tackle inequalities in pregnancy and birth.

"Everyone deserves the same opportunities for a healthy pregnancy and birth and should be provided with the best care and support. This should not be predetermined by postcode or ethnicity. However, it is clear we are failing certain communities when rates of neonatal deaths are so much higher amongst babies of Black and Asian ethnicity and babies in the most deprived areas of the UK.

“Frankly, we are not on track to meet the current ambitions to make pregnancy and birth safe for all women and birthing people and to save babies’ lives. We are calling on the new Labour Government to commit to renew and enhance these targets.”

Rob Wilson, Head of the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit, said:

The new data released by MBRRACE-UK today highlights the need for urgent action to save more babies’ lives and tackle inequalities in baby loss. The data show that between 2021 and 2022 the rate of neonatal mortality (babies dying within 28 days of birth) increased in the UK.

“Between 2021 and 2022 there was an increase in the neonatal mortality rate for babies born to mothers from the most deprived areas of the UK, which is now twice as high the rate in the least deprived.  Among babies of Asian ethnicity rates of neonatal death have been increasing since 2020. Rates of neonatal death among babies of Black and Asian ethnicity are over 50% higher than for White babies.

“The Labour manifesto promises that no matter your background, you can thrive. This must start from pregnancy and birth. The previous government set ambitions in England to reduce rates of neonatal mortality and stillbirth by 2025, which we are not on track to meet. The new government must renew these ambitions, but with the focus to ensure they can be achieved, including a plan to ensure exiting commitments to invest in maternity and neonatal services reflect inflation increases.” 

Do you need help or support?

We know reports like this can be upsetting or frightening. We're here for you, wherever you are on your pregnancy journey.

We know that Black women experience higher risks of complications during pregnancy, which is why we are offering extra support. Our Tommy’s Black and Black Mixed-Heritage Support Helpline provides 1:1 midwife-led guidance and support before, during and after pregnancy. Book your 1:1 call here.

You can also contact The Tommy's Helpline, run by midwives, on 0800 014 7800 or via [email protected] with any pregnancy concerns. This is a non-bookable service available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

For peer support after a pregnancy loss, you can join our Tommy’s Baby Loss Support Facebook Group. If you are pregnant after a previous loss, you’ll find peer support in our Tommy’s Pregnancy and Parenting After Loss Support Facebook Group.