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Written question asked by Rachel Blake (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 March 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Thursday, 19 March 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Babies and Pregnancy: Weather

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on incorporating (a) evidence on the maternal and neonatal risks from extreme heat and (b) measures to protect pregnant people and infants during heatwaves into the UK’s National Adaptation Programme.

Answer

Defra is working across Government to reset the climate adaptation framework and safeguard people, livelihoods, and the natural environment. Defra is setting stronger objectives and improving governance and monitoring, to help the Government turn evidence into action.

The Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)recognise there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures, 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.

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
121636
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Babies Health hazards Protection Pregnancy Weather
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk