Written questions

Maternity Services: Recruitment

Commons · Question 15105 · Tabled 1 Jul 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record

Answered 9 Jul 2026

Question

Asked by Freddie van Mierlo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of newly qualified midwives in England in 2026 unable to secure employment within NHS maternity services; and whether he plans to introduce a nationally fund

Answer

Answered by Karin Smyth, 9 Jul 2026

We are aware of the difficulties newly qualified midwives are experiencing in securing employment in the National Health Service. NHS England actively monitors future nursing and midwifery student numbers, current vacancies, and staff turnover and is taki...