Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minister, responding to the Care Quality Commission’s survey of 23,000 new mothers, said:

“This survey reveals how new mums are being badly let down and standards have slipped back in recent years.

"Ministers must explain why women feel that their concerns weren’t taken seriously and a growing number were left alone during labour. Maternity units must be adequately staffed. At the election, David Cameron promised thousands more midwives but he’s failing to deliver them.

"It is more proof you can’t trust him on the NHS.”