Scandals spark fear of childbirth on NHS

ALMOST half of women in Britain fear giving birth following repeated NHS maternity scandals - and more than a quarter are delaying pregnancy as a result, research shows.

- By Lucy Johnston

The figures follow four official inquiries into poor care on Britain’s maternity wards which found hundreds of babies and mothers died or were harmed due to hospital failings.

And data shows the birth rate for England and Wales is at a record low after falling for the third year in a row.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the declining rate of births has "worrying repercussions" and she hoped to be able to make it easier for women to have children.