Responding to today's Maternity Disparities Taskforce announcement, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers Miriam Deakin said:

"The taskforce's call for more targeted action to reach women from ethnic minorities and those living in the most deprived areas is welcome. We support the proactive focus on health pre-pregnancy and the role of primary care here.

"NHS trust leaders are driving change to tackle health inequalities affecting marginalised and vulnerable communities. Addressing unfair, avoidable differences in people's access to, experiences of and outcomes from health services is a priority. We want to work with the taskforce to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies from ethnic minorities and deprived communities.

"The pandemic and the current cost of living crisis have widened the health inequalities gap. We need urgent action across government to help the NHS and its partners to ensure that maternity and other health services are fair and equitable for everyone."