The comments by inquiry chair Paulette Hamilton followed the Government's response to a report by the Health and Social Committee.

Hamilton said: ‘I am not yet convinced that ministers, or the system, are properly hearing and understanding the voices of black mothers.'

In its committee response, the Government rejected the recommendation for DHSC to introduce mandatory, ongoing cultural competency training for all midwives.

The Government also opted not to reintroduce elements of ring-fenced funding for maternity services, saying ICBs will be ‘monitored'.

Black women are 2.3 times more likely to die in pregnancy, childbirth, or the postnatal period than white women, according to recent figures. 

NHS England has paid out £27.4bn due to maternity negligence cases since 2019, estimated to be more than the total it has spent on maternity services over the same period. 

Hamilton said: ‘It would have been relatively easy to bring in compulsory training for midwives to understand cultural complexities in their role. What's holding the Government back? 

‘It is also unclear how accountability will improve. Having the insights is one thing, but what will be the mechanism to act on failure and prevent it recurring?'