Lib Dems pledge £600m per year for maternity services

Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, announced that if the party were to form a government he would earmark £600 million a year for maternity services across the NHS. The pledge, presented in a policy briefing, is aimed at addressing long‑standing wait‑time and staffing shortages that have plagued maternity units nationwide.

The commitment follows a series of reports highlighting the strain on maternity care, including rising numbers of women waiting for appointments and a shortage of midwives and obstetricians. By allocating a dedicated annual budget, the Lib Dems intend to strengthen infrastructure, increase workforce capacity, and improve patient outcomes. The proposal is part of a broader Liberal Democrat platform that seeks to invest in public health services and is positioned as a key differentiator from other parties’ NHS plans.