Westminster Hall debateWestminster HallMonday, 20 April 202616:30

e-petition 751174 relating to a Maternity Commissioner

Backbench debate (separate chamber, no votes)

This Westminster Hall debate concerns an e-petition calling for the creation of a dedicated Maternity Commissioner role. The petition, sponsored by Labour MP Tony Vaughan, seeks to establish an independent position responsible for overseeing maternity services and protecting standards across the NHS. The debate will examine whether a specialist commissioner is needed to improve maternity care quality and safety.

Maternity services directly affect pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns across the UK. A dedicated Maternity Commissioner could strengthen accountability for maternity care standards, tackle long-standing issues around maternal health outcomes, and ensure consistent quality across different NHS trusts. This matters because maternity safety and outcomes have been persistent concerns highlighted in multiple NHS reviews.

Health & NHS Social Care

MPs most likely to speak

Karin SmythLabour Party

Bristol South

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, social-care (187 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: supportive, health: neutral, health: opposed (30pts)Voting record

Stephen KinnockLabour Party

Aberafan Maesteg

Minister of State — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, social-care (235 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: supportive, health: neutral, social-care: supportive (30pts)Voting record

Dr Caroline JohnsonConservative and Unionist Party

Sleaford and North Hykeham

Shadow Health and Social Care — portfolio topic overlap (35pts); Spoken on health, social-care (175 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: questioning, health: opposed, health: supportive (30pts)Voting record

Tony VaughanLabour Party

Folkestone and Hythe

Debate sponsor/lead member (calendar Members field)Voting record

Christine JardineLiberal Democrats

Edinburgh West

Spoken on health, social-care (103 times, 40pts); Known positions: health: questioning, social-care: supportive, health: supportive (30pts); Committee: women and equalities committee (20pts)Voting record

e-petition 751174 relating to a Maternity Commissioner

MPs most likely to speak

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