Over 50 per cent of births to non UK-born mums at L&D
Latest figures from Office For National Statistics
More than half the babies born in Luton are to foreign mothers, according to figures released by the Office For National Statistics.
A spokesman said 758,000 babies were born in Britain last year. The UK fertility rate is now 1.91 children per woman - the highest level since 1973. In Luton, 51 per cent of births were to non UK-born mothers.
The rising birth rate has fuelled an increase in Britain's population to almost 61 million in 2007, largely influenced by the growing number of women of childbearing age in the country.
The Luton & Dunstable Hospital's head of communication, Barry Mayes, said: "In the last 12 months L&D midwives delivered 5,500 babies. It would be fair to say that the birth rate reflects the high number of people living here from different cultural backgrounds."
He added: "Our first priority is to care for babies and their mothers. We celebrate our cultural diversity in Luton and anyone who is normally resident in the UK is entitled to free NHS treatment, including maternity treatment."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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