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Written question asked by Harpreet Uppal (Labour) on Monday, 9 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Pregnancy: Temperature

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) UKHSA has made of the potential risks of exposure to high ambient temperatures during pregnancy including (i) stillbirth, (ii) preterm birth and (iii) maternal health complications.

Answer

The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures, which are set out in the Adverse weather and health plan equity review and impact assessment 2024. This includes an assessment on stillbirth, pre-term birth, and maternal health complications.

The UKHSA provides a weather-health alerting system for England, which alerts the public, including specific vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, and public sector organisations to prepare for impacts of adverse weather, including high temperatures. Risks to health are communicated via heat-health alerts.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
119103
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Health hazards Pregnancy Temperature
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk