By Professor John Robertson OBA

From the Guardian today:

Infant mortality has risen for the third year in a row in England, with the risk of death for babies born in deprived areas almost three times higher than those from wealthier postcodes, figures show.

The rate of deaths for children under one year old increased from 3.8 to 3.9 per 1,000 births last year, although the overall number of infant deaths decreased by 2% because of a lower birthrate. _{https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/14/infant-mortality-rises-for-third-year-in-a-row-with-risk-tripling-in-deprived-areas}

From the National Records of Scotland in March 2024:

The infant death rate was 3.4 per 1,000 live births. This is lower than in the first three quarters of 2023. _{https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/news/2024/number-of-births-continues-to-fall#:~:text=The%20infant%20death%20rate%20was,the%20final%20quarter%20of%202023.}

What could explain this?

Like suicide rates, abortion rates, mental health problems, alcohol and drug abuse rates, infant mortality is ‘canary in the coalmine’ warning signal that things are not well in the nation.

Scotland has many more health home visitors, midwives, GPs and affordable homes, the unique Child Payment, lower crime, lower domestic abuse, lower female homicide and many other advantages for young mothers (all checkable here).

SNP policies over 17 years have saved the lives of hundreds of new- born babies – there’s a story you won’t hear in ‘your’ MSM!

Labour?

10,000 children dragged into poverty by two-child limit since Labour took office _{https://cpag.org.uk/news/10000-children-dragged-poverty-two-child-limit-labour-took-office}

Footnote – the infant mortality rate for the EU is 3.3 per 1 000 live births – another cost of Brexit?