New ONS Data Confirms Government Misses Stillbirth Reduction Target
Published on: 29/05/2026
Press Release
Government Fails to Meet Stillbirth Halving Target, New ONS Data Confirms
29 May 2026 | MAMA Academy
New figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have confirmed that the Government has failed to meet its target of halving the stillbirth rate in England by 2025 compared to 2010 levels.
The data highlights the need for continued focus on improving maternity safety and reducing preventable baby deaths across the UK. While there was progress in reducing stillbirth rates during the early years of the target period, improvements have slowed in recent years and the ambition has ultimately not been achieved.
The figures also continue to demonstrate significant inequalities in outcomes, with stillbirth rates remaining disproportionately higher among families living in deprived communities and within some ethnic minority groups.
MAMA Academy believes these findings reinforce the need for urgent and sustained action to improve maternity care, strengthen early identification of babies at risk, and ensure all families receive the safest possible care throughout pregnancy.
Earlier this year, concerns regarding the effectiveness of Intergrowth growth charts in identifying some babies experiencing restricted growth resulted in their removal from use. MAMA Academy has been among the organisations raising awareness of concerns around the charts and advocating for improved methods of identifying babies who may be at increased risk.
The charity has also contributed to wider discussions surrounding maternity safety through its involvement in the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, which is due to publish its findings next month. MAMA Academy hopes the report will provide clear recommendations and support meaningful improvements in maternity and neonatal care across England.
In addition, MAMA Academy has recently completed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to maternity units throughout the UK. The charity is currently analysing the data and will shortly publish individual maternity unit stillbirth and neonatal mortality statistics to improve transparency and help drive improvements in care. Previously published 2024 statistics are already available on the MAMA Academy website.
Whilst every statistic represents a much-loved and deeply missed baby, these figures show that far more must be done to improve maternity safety across the UK.
I hope to see real action from our Government following these findings and the recommendations of the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation. Families deserve confidence that everything possible is being done to keep their babies safe.
The UK should be one of the safest places in the world to have a baby. We must continue learning from evidence, listening to families, and implementing meaningful changes that help more parents take their precious babies home.
Heidi Eldridge — Chief Executive Officer, MAMA Academy
MAMA Academy remains committed to working with healthcare professionals, policymakers and families to raise awareness, improve maternity safety and reduce the number of babies who die before or shortly after birth.
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