Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today, show that in 2023 the stillbirth rate in England and Wales remained at the same level as it was in 2022.
The Sands & Tommy's Joint Policy Unit is calling for the new 10-year plan for the NHS to be used to make more progress on saving babies’ lives.
The government also needs to make a clear commitment to eliminating unacceptable inequalities in baby loss over the course of the 10-year plan, with action across government to make sure more progress is made.
The stillbirth rate for Wales fell from 4.4 per 1000 births in 2022 to 4.0 per 1000 births in 2023. This is welcome progress, given that the stillbirth rate in Wales has been significantly higher than the rest of the UK over the last decade.
In England, it remained at 3.9 per 1000 births. There is a government ambition in England to achieve a 50% reduction in the stillbirth rate by 2025, compared to the 2010 rate. Achieving the government’s ambition would equate to 2.6 stillbirths per 1,000 births. Much greater progress is therefore required for these rates to be achieved, and should be a key focus of the 10 year plan currently being developed by the NHS in England.
Data also show that rates of preterm birth in England have increased. Lowering rates of preterm birth is vital for reducing the number of babies that die shortly after birth. The rate of preterm birth (babies born before 37 and after 24 weeks gestation) in England was 7.7% in 2022 and 7.8% in 2023. There are ambitions, in England, to reduce this to 6%.
"Today's ONS data show that progress is not being made to reduce the stillbirth rate in England which remains at the same level as it was in 2022 and higher than it was in 2019 and 2020. The government ambition in England to achieve a 50% reduction in the stillbirth rate by 2025, compared to the 2010 rate is not on track.
"Worryingly, the unacceptable inequalities in baby loss also persist. The gap in the stillbirth rate between those living in the most and least deprived areas of England widened, and there was a significant increase in the rate of stillbirth among babies of Asian ethnicity in England and Wales. And despite a slight reduction in the stillbirth rate among Black babies, this remains nearly twice as high as the rate among White babies.
"The NHS is now consulting on a new 10-year plan and saving babies’ lives and eliminating inequalities in pregnancy and baby loss must be a key part of this. This is a key opportunity to set future ambitions. The government must make saving babies’ lives the health policy priority it deserves to be, and ensure it puts in place a comprehensive programme of work to achieve them."
- Rob Wilson, Head of the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit
Data confirms persistent inequalities in baby loss by ethnicity and deprivation
The gap in rates of stillbirth among those living in the most deprived areas of England compared to those living in the least deprived areas widened in 2023. In the most deprived areas there are 5.1 stillbirths per 1,000 births, compared to 2.9 in the least deprived areas.
There was also a significant increase in the rate of stillbirth among babies of Asian ethnicity in England and Wales, from 4.7 per 1,000 in 2022 to 5.2 per 1,000 in 2023. Across England and Wales there was a slight reduction in the stillbirth rate among Black babies, but at 6.3 stillbirths per 1,000 births this remains nearly twice as high as the rate among White babies.
Sands campaigning to End Inequality In Baby Loss
No baby should have an increased risk of dying because of their race or ethnicity. Change is possible. By working together to raise these inequalities with politicians and other decision makers, we will build a more equitable system that gives all families the care they deserve.
Sands is campaigning so that everyone gets the compassionate and personalised care they need. By doing this, we can make the UK one of the safest places in the world to have a baby.
You can help by asking your MP to attend an event on 5 November and hear the experiences of two bereaved parents who are backing our End Inequality In Baby Loss campaign.
Sands is here for you
Sands is here for anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, however recently or longer ago, for as long as they need this.
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