Lib Dems would recruit 3,000 midwives and health visitors

Speaking at the party's conference in Bournemouth on Sunday, shadow health secretary Norman Lamb accused Labour of failing to deliver on its pledge that every woman would be supported by the same midwife throughout her pregnancy and be entitled to choose where she gave birth.

He said: ‘While births continue to rise at a rapid rate, the number of midwives has stalled. This means that many women are not being given a choice about where they give birth or the support they need at home.'

Mr Lamb also pledged to slash spending on NHS quangos and capping the pay of health service managers, suggesting it could save £500m a year.

• What do you think about Mr Lamb's ideas?