Dr Joy Lawn, of Save the Children, who is part of the Born Too Soon initiative that seeks to cut prematurity rates, said: ""Our analysis shows that the current potential for preterm birth prevention is shockingly small.

BBC: 'Too little known' on early birth

Other programmes, from help with birth-control and HIV-prevention to counselling against drug abuse and domestic violence, will be made smaller or eliminated altogether.

ECONOMIST: Voters reject a ballot they could not comprehend

Every day in Britain, about 315 women experience a miscarriage, approximately 151 babies are born prematurely and 10 babies are stillborn, according to baby charity Tommy's, which funds research into the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth.

BBC: Claire and Jason Duggan