Following the government’s spending review, the Office for National Statistics is consulting again on cuts it proposes to make in its statistical outputs. Statistics under threat include data on maternal, perinatal, infant and childhood mortality in England and Wales. These important statistics form the bedrock of much research and have been used for monitoring trends for almost four decades.

Without them we will also not be able to benchmark against other countries and identify and respond to any shortfalls in health and social care with well-informed evidenced-based changes to government policy and practice. The UK is already ranked by Unicef 16th out of 29 rich countries for child wellbeing. This is a national disgrace and improving the UK position should be a government priority.

These cost-cutting proposals are illogical and fly in the face of current efforts to reduce maternal, infant and childhood deaths, stillbirths and sudden unexpected deaths in the UK. We urge the Office for National Statistics to show its commitment to maternal and child health and wellbeing by saving these all important statistics.

Professor Neena Modi Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Francine Bates Chief executive, Lullaby Trust

Judith Abela Acting chief executive, SANDS

Ruth Bender Atik National director, The Miscarriage Association

Jane Plumb Chief executive, Group B Strep Support

Keith Reed CEO, Tamba, Twins and Multiple Births Association

Ann Marie Barnard Chief executive officer, Action on Pre-eclampsia

Caroline Davey Chief executive, Bliss, for babies born premature or sick

Jane Denton Director, The Multiple Births Foundation

Jane Fisher Director, Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC)

Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes President, British Psychological Society

Munira Oza Director, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

Cathy Warwick Chief executive, The Royal College of Midwives (RCM)

Tom Mullarkey Chief executive, ROSPA

Dr David Richmond President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

• This article was amended on 8 February to include Professor Neena Modi, who was accidentally omitted from the list of signatories in the online version of the letter.