We ask that women with a baby born within the last twelve months are included in those permitted to form a social bubble with another household, in regions where households are prevented from mixing.

As the lockdown rules focus on keeping the economy going, many are at home alone whilst their partner works. They are coping with the demands of caring for a young baby, combined with the emotional and physical recovery from the birth.

We are concerned about an increase in postnatal depression if women are unable to access practical and emotional support. Without this, there is a higher risk of developing the illness.

New mothers are a vulnerable group; allowing them a basic level of social support is the right thing to do, to protect their mental health and to enable them to provide the care their babies need.