Tens of millions of data points tell the unique, exciting, life-changing, sometimes heartbreaking stories of how new life enters the world. We've analysed all those numbers to tell you the key stats about how each part of the process works where you live, and how that compares with other parts of the country. Enter your postcode or the name of your health board, or click around the map, to find out. Return to the top of the interactive map to explore a different area by either clicking on a new part of the country, or searching for a new postcode or health board. What we found - differences across UK nations There is no single part of the country that stands out as being either bad or good across all measures. For many metrics, like whether births are induced or delivered via C-section for example, higher or lower percentages are a matter of personal preference rather than an obvious representation of success or failure in either direction. However, it is interesting that Wales is the last remaining UK nation where "natural", unassisted vaginal births still make up more than half of all babies delivered. Scotland has the highest C-section rate, while Northern Ireland has the highest rate of births assisted with instruments like forceps or ventouses. Mothers in England are least likely to have their labour medically induced. Midwifery units in England appear to be more stretched in terms of staffing compared with the other UK nations - there are more than 20 births per midwife per year in England, compared with just 13 in Scotland, 15 in Northern Ireland and 17 in Wales. The staffing ratio is a crude measure, however. It doesn't take into account the experience level of midwives or how many of them are in patient-facing roles. It also doesn't appear to be linked directly to worse outcomes. Birth injuries to mothers are more common in Scotland than England, for example, despite there being more midwives per baby. Data on mothers' birth injuries is not available for Wales or Northern Ireland. Read more:Maternity crisis - what it's like to give birth in the UK Which local areas stand out At health board level, figures that might appear concerning are not necessarily indicative of poor performance. Some areas face more complex cases than others, so worse outcomes may be inevitable regardless of standards of medical care. That said, analysis of our data shows that the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire care board ranks poorly across each of the three "staff/procedure" measures - how many mothers had their first antenatal appointments within the recommended 10 weeks, how many were assigned a named midwife during pregnancy, and the ratio of midwives to babies. It is also one of the parts of the country with the highest rate of birth injuries to mothers. A report by Donna Ockenden, published last week, found that hundreds of babies and mothers at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust were either harmed or died as a result of failures by medical staff between 2012 and 2025. The trust has apologised "unreservedly" to those affected - and following the report said "important changes have been made" to its services. Our data covers what's happened in the 12 months to March 2026. Watch:Inside UK's maternity crisis | Sky News investigation At the other end of the scale, Humber and North Yorkshire scores highly across each of the three admin measures, and has better health outcomes than average for both mothers and babies. People giving birth in Mid and South Essex have unusually high rates of both inductions and emergency C-sections. The number of planned C-sections has also almost doubled there in the last two years. In both Fife and the Forth Valley, two neighbouring health boards north of Edinburgh and Glasgow, more than 40% of mothers had their labours induced - double the proportion in Birmingham and Solihull. Birth instruments were almost five times more likely to be used in certain parts of the country - Belfast or Lothian (which covers Edinburgh) for example, compared with Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin on the English border with Wales. Use our tool to search again for other areas to see how they compare across each of these measures. The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.

In an email sent to staff on Tuesday, seen by Sky News, the BBC's 2026 annual pay review plan suggests an increase of 1%, with a minimum of £500 for full-time staff. The current annual rate of inflation is 2.8%. Unions have rejected the offer, saying it could leave many staff "worse off" due to cost of living pressures. Earlier this month, the BBC announced it would be cutting 550 roles, axing several radio shows and reviewing the positions of its chief news presenters, in the first phase of a major downsizing plan as it seeks to make hundreds of millions of pounds worth of savings over the next few years. In its pay email, the BBC said the 1% offer had not been agreed with its recognised unions, which include media and entertainment union Bectu, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Unite, and that talks would continue involving conciliation service, Acas, over the coming weeks. Members of the BBC's executive committee, which includes the new director-general Matt Brittin, will not receive a pay increase this year. Staff have been reminded the broadcaster is facing "difficult financial realities that require careful decision-making" - and as such, decisions involving significant investment must be "responsible and sustainable for the future". One employee told Sky News: "At a time when jobs and output are under threat - and staff are being stretched further - only being offered a 1% rise feels like an insult. "Staff are being asked to do more and more as resources are squeezed. And while we report on inflation and cost of living, being offered a pay rise below the rate of inflation seems particularly ironic. It's all a bit bleak, really." The BBC is predominantly funded through the annual licence fee, which rose to £180 per year on 1 April. The fee is guaranteed until the end of 2027, which is when the current BBC charter expires - which sets out the arrangements for governance, as well as recognising the BBC's editorial independence and setting out its public obligations. Bosses are under pressure to come up with an alternative funding model as audience habits continue to shift, with huge competition from streamers such as Netflix and Disney+. The corporation has previously suggested the licence fee could be cut if more people paid the annual fee, reporting that 94% of adults use the service every month - but only about 80% of households pay. 'Not acceptable' In a statement, Bectu head Philippa Childs said the union recognised the pressures the BBC is facing, but that "an offer of only 1% to staff is simply not acceptable when there is a very real cost-of-living crisis". The pay offer "further highlights the need for a long-term funding solution for the BBC", she said, adding: "We hope that attempts to come to an acceptable agreement with assistance from ACAS are successful." Read more from Sky News:UK could intervene in Paramount dealDoctor Who Christmas special cancelled The NUJ said the offer, which follows several months of negotiations, would amount to a real-terms pay cut for members and failed to recognise the current pressures on staff. "This offer falls far short of what our members deserve and would leave many worse off in real terms," said NUJ general secretary Laura Davison. "BBC journalists and media workers continue to deliver accurate, independent, locally relevant and universally accessible journalism in increasingly difficult circumstances." The broadcaster "must invest" in the "talented and experienced staff who make its public service journalism possible", she added.

53% of eligible British Medical Association (BMA) members voted to accept the deal on a turnout of 57%. They will see an average pay rise of 6.6%, fully implemented by April 2027. That includes a base pay rise of 3.5%, plus an additional percentage based on a doctor's seniority. The deal also includes 4,500 speciality training places, to try and help end the jobs "bottleneck" of medical school graduates being left without jobs to go into. Doctors would also have exam fees and eligible royal medical college memberships reimbursed. Resident - formerly known as junior - doctors have been in dispute with successive governments since 2023, and have engaged in 15 rounds of industrial action. The BMA had rejected the government's initial offer issued last year, which led to five days of walkouts in the lead up to Christmas. Medics also walked out for six days in April. They were set to walk out again from 15 to 19 June after new Health Secretary James Murray said he would not improve the deal on the table. But that strike was called off on 13 June, after the BMA said the government had made a new offer, which was put to a referendum of resident doctors. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the deal would mean resident doctors had received a 35.2% pay rise over the past three years, the highest in the public sector. Murray said the deal was "very good news for resident doctors, patients and the NHS as a whole" and allowed the sector to move on from months of disruption caused by industrial action. He said that resident doctors will get "a new pay structure, better career progression opportunities and a range of other improved conditions to support them as they rotate and train", while he accepted that "there is much more to do". Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, said that while doctors have "decided that the current offer is sufficient" and that the "strikes will now end", the government was to blame for not offering resident doctors this deal sooner. Warning of future strike action if future pay deals aren't good enough, he added: "We are putting the pay review process on notice - if it cannot deliver continued pay improvements, then we risk once again falling back into dispute in future." The deal relates to resident doctors in England only. Resident doctors in Northern Ireland are currently taking part in their own walk out in a dispute over pay.

Reece James' injury presents a selection dilemma at right-back, while England's lack of end product against low blocks will also be at the forefront of Tuchel's thinking. Are doubts also creeping in regarding Jordan Pickford's form in goal? Here, Sky Sports analyses the key talking points ahead of the meeting in Atlanta... Who should play right-back? Right-back has suddenly become a problem position for Tuchel after he lost first James with a hamstring injury following the draw with Ghana and then Jarell Quansah - who came in for the Chelsea man against Panama - with a badly-twisted ankle in that final group game. Both will miss the DR Congo game. So the England boss is now down to just Djed Spence, possibly Trevoh Chalobah - called up after the injury curse first struck to rule out Tino Livramento with a calf issue during the build-up to the tournament - and in a real emergency, versatile centre-back Ezri Konsa. Spence played the last 10 minutes of the opening win against Croatia, but as a left-back - where he was mainly used at Tottenham last season - then 66 minutes of the goalless draw with Ghana, again on the left-hand side of the defence, before being rested on Saturday. Gary Neville believes Tuchel was protecting the player, with so few other options for the role. "Tuchel has got Spence, who he rested the other day," the former England right-back told Sky Sports. "I hope that's because he needs to play the rest of the games. But we are very thin on the ground." And with Konsa likely to start in the centre of defence and Chalobah yet to have any game time at the tournament, Spence - who has impressed when he has been called upon in the warm-ups and group contests - should be the man entrusted with the role on Wednesday.Rich Morgan Not the game for Kane to drop deep? A key element of England's plan to get the best from Harry Kane was allowing him to play to his strengths - and they include dropping deep with runners beyond. It has shaped Tuchel's thinking in prioritising pure pace over trickery on the wings. But against Panama, who offered so little space in behind their defence, Kane's impact came in a more conventional manner - nodding in a cross from close range. It highlighted that he can be that box presence and that is what might be required again. DR Congo have had some of the lowest possession numbers at this World Cup so do not expect the wingers to be racing into vacant space behind the full-backs too often. Kane's passing range, such a great weapon, may have to wait. England need his finishing.Adam Bate Bellingham role upon Rice return? Jude Bellingham was the player of the match in England's win over Panama but is likely to see his role switched for this game due to the return of Declan Rice in midfield. The task is to continue getting the best from him in whatever position he is assigned. On the face of it, Rice's absence required Bellingham to play deeper - but the formation has always been a bit more nuanced than that. While Rice is often described as playing alongside Elliot Anderson, he has in reality often been deployed in advance of him in the left channel. Those are the positions that Bellingham frequently took up in the 2-0 win against Panama - scoring one and setting up the other - having previously played from the right. His touch maps show that he was able to get on the ball much more last time out. He actually had more touches in the opposition box in this game as well as showcasing his tackling abilities once again. Bellingham is at his best when he is able to go where the action is and influence things. It will be interesting how it plays out with Rice back.Adam Bate Who starts on the wings? Tuchel changed both wingers for the final group game against Panama as Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford replaced Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon. The pair will be confident of keeping their places in the starting line-up against DR Congo. Rashford was erratic against Panama, only hitting the target with one of his five shots and not completing any of his six crosses. But he offered considerably more attacking threat than Gordon, while Saka appears to have overcome his fitness issues. Rashford and Saka have averaged more than twice as many shots per 90 minutes as Madueke and Gordon at the tournament so far. They have also averaged considerably more touches and passes, reflecting their greater involvement generally. Saka has been carefully managed by Tuchel, appearing as a substitute against Croatia and Ghana before coming off in the 62nd minute against Panama. Now that the knockouts have arrived, though, he should be in a better condition to deliver his best. His set-piece delivery is another invaluable asset.Nick Wright Are doubts creeping in about Pickford? Jordan Pickford remains England's first-choice goalkeeper, as he should with credit in the bank after three major tournaments, but doubts are beginning to creep in. It was a shaky performance against Croatia, kicking off the tournament with two goals conceded. His showing against Ghana then compounded those fears. He was a bystander for much of it without a save to make. But his challenge on Prince Adu outside the area was rash and could have very easily cost England the game. Racing out from his area, missing the ball and taking the player along with him: goalkeepers are often measured on the brief moments throughout a fixture when they are called upon. Pickford failed that test. He also currently sits 39th in goals prevented for goalkeepers across the tournament (-1.39), a metric that measures performance based on the quality of shots they have faced compared to the goals conceded. If England are to stand a chance as the tournament progresses, they need Pickford to return to the reliable presence between the sticks that he has been for almost a decade now.Patrick Rowe How much of a concern is fitness? England's most prevalent injury worries have come at right-back, which has been discussed in detail above. Tuchel will not have foreseen this, but is now dealing with the consequences. Meanwhile, after an Achilles issue, Saka was eased in through the group stages, but though Tuchel says he is "not a problem", Sky Sports' Neville has weighed in, saying Saka "doesn't look right at all". Speaking on Stick to Football, he said: "He's usually the boy that's bubbling and smiling, he's got that competitive edge to him, but he's not right and that's a concern to us." Then there's Anderson, who retained his spot in the starting XI against Panama, and played 84 minutes, despite reported muscle tightness. But Rice will not have played for eight days by the time of the DR Congo encounter, having sat out England's final group game after a calf complaint, and to have him back in midfield will provide a huge boost. The majority of the concerns appear manageable, and that's how England need them to stay if they are to go deep.Dan Long How England can break DR Congo's low block DR Congo frequently sit in a low-to-mid block out of possession - England's issue at this World Cup has not been creating shots against deep defences. It has been turning that pressure into clear chances and goals. According to FIFA data, DR Congo have spent more than half of their out-of-possession time in a low-to-mid block. The pattern is clear: they are happy to retreat into shape, protect central areas and invite opponents to find a way through. Senegal, France, Germany and Canada have each scored twice during phases when opponents were sitting deep. France and Senegal have combined that finishing touch with shot volume, producing between seven and eight shots per 10 minutes in that game state. England have yet to score against a low block at this World Cup, but their shot rate is similar to France and Senegal. That suggests the problem is not simply getting efforts away. It is more likely about chance quality, shot location and the speed of England's attacking play once they reach the final third. At the other end of the scale, Uruguay, Turkey and Belgium have produced plenty of shots against deep defences but failed to convert them, either through poor finishing or lower-quality attempts. Spain, meanwhile, have struggled to find the same level of attacking volume, failing to score against deep opposition and managing only around four shots per 10 low-block minutes. The data points towards the profile of teams who have caused low blocks the most problems. France and Senegal have not just circulated possession in front of defenders; they have threatened with pace, direct running and individual quality in one-vs-one situations. England are creating shots but the next step is creating better ones.Adam Smith

In an email sent to staff on Tuesday, seen by Sky News, the BBC's 2026 annual pay review plan suggests an increase of 1%, with a minimum of £500 for full-time staff. The current annual rate of inflation is 2.8%. Unions have rejected the offer, saying it could leave many staff "worse off" due to cost of living pressures. Earlier this month, the BBC announced it would be cutting 550 roles, axing several radio shows and reviewing the positions of its chief news presenters, in the first phase of a major downsizing plan as it seeks to make hundreds of millions of pounds worth of savings over the next few years. In its pay email, the BBC said the 1% offer had not been agreed with its recognised unions, which include media and entertainment union Bectu, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Unite, and that talks would continue involving conciliation service, Acas, over the coming weeks. Members of the BBC's executive committee, which includes the new director-general Matt Brittin, will not receive a pay increase this year. Staff have been reminded the broadcaster is facing "difficult financial realities that require careful decision-making" - and as such, decisions involving significant investment must be "responsible and sustainable for the future". One employee told Sky News: "At a time when jobs and output are under threat - and staff are being stretched further - only being offered a 1% rise feels like an insult. "Staff are being asked to do more and more as resources are squeezed. And while we report on inflation and cost of living, being offered a pay rise below the rate of inflation seems particularly ironic. It's all a bit bleak, really." The BBC is predominantly funded through the annual licence fee, which rose to £180 per year on 1 April. The fee is guaranteed until the end of 2027, which is when the current BBC charter expires - which sets out the arrangements for governance, as well as recognising the BBC's editorial independence and setting out its public obligations. Bosses are under pressure to come up with an alternative funding model as audience habits continue to shift, with huge competition from streamers such as Netflix and Disney+. The corporation has previously suggested the licence fee could be cut if more people paid the annual fee, reporting that 94% of adults use the service every month - but only about 80% of households pay. 'Not acceptable' In a statement, Bectu head Philippa Childs said the union recognised the pressures the BBC is facing, but that "an offer of only 1% to staff is simply not acceptable when there is a very real cost-of-living crisis". The pay offer "further highlights the need for a long-term funding solution for the BBC", she said, adding: "We hope that attempts to come to an acceptable agreement with assistance from ACAS are successful." Read more from Sky News:UK could intervene in Paramount dealDoctor Who Christmas special cancelled The NUJ said the offer, which follows several months of negotiations, would amount to a real-terms pay cut for members and failed to recognise the current pressures on staff. "This offer falls far short of what our members deserve and would leave many worse off in real terms," said NUJ general secretary Laura Davison. "BBC journalists and media workers continue to deliver accurate, independent, locally relevant and universally accessible journalism in increasingly difficult circumstances." The broadcaster "must invest" in the "talented and experienced staff who make its public service journalism possible", she added.

The BAFTA-winner is on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court accused of raping the woman after meeting her at a nightclub in London on 2 January 2023. The 28-year-old denies two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against the alleged victim. She told the court she was given specific instructions to walk behind him and not to talk to anyone as they walked together to go to a car to talk while at an afterparty in Stratford, east London. In an interview with police on 13 January 2023, which was played to jurors, the alleged victim said: "I tried to leave the vehicle and he told me to close the door." Describing the alleged assault, the woman told police: "He said: 'If I tell you to do it, you do it.'" Asked how she felt during the alleged assaults, the woman said she felt "numb" and "scared", adding she remembered "wanting it all to be over". She added: "I didn't really feel like I had a choice. I said I didn't want to do it." In a second interview with police on 29 July 2024, also played to jurors on Tuesday, the woman said: "He didn't respect what I was saying. All he cared about was what he wanted." The woman said Ward was "overpowering", adding: "As soon as he made me get into the back of the car, the atmosphere completely changed." The woman, who cried as she spoke to police, added: "I genuinely believed if I did what he asked I could leave. I just didn't feel like I had a choice but to be there." Alleged victim 'embarrassed' about phone messages Discussing phone messages she sent to Ward after the alleged assaults, which were initially not handed over to police by her, the woman said: "I don't know why I chose to hide from them that we had a conversation after it happened." She said she was "embarrassed", adding: "I just didn't really feel like I had an explanation as to why I replied." Ward was arrested on 18 January 2023 and told police in a statement: "I deny the allegation of rape. I want to put on record that we had consensual foreplay and consensual sex." The Jamaican-born British actor was awarded the BAFTA rising star honour in 2020 and has twice been nominated for best supporting actor - for his role in the Small Axe anthology series in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. He also appeared in Blue Story and the US film Eddington, which was released last August. The trial continues.

Will the long-awaited defence investment plan be the prime minister's final and most contentious act? After months of delays, a multibillion-pound funding gap, and the resignation of his defence secretary, has Sir Keir Starmer done enough to satisfy his military chiefs? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack the political and strategic stakes and assess what NATO allies, not least Donald Trump, will make of the plans. Elsewhere, with the PM's departure from Number 10 on the horizon, is Labour already seeing a polling bounce? And after more than two years of disruption has Health Secretary James Murray finally succeeded where others have failed by bringing the resident doctors strike to an end?

Brook, England's Test vice-captain and white-ball skipper, was overlooked for the captaincy for the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval in the aftermath of the nightclub incident that saw Stokes stood down. The England hierarchy turned to former Test captain Joe Root for that match, although Brook said that was "the right decision" at the time. However, the 27-year-old Yorkshireman would now relish the opportunity to lead England across all formats if he is chosen to succeed Stokes as Test skipper. "It would be a great honour to captain England at Test level. It's something I've always wanted to do," Brook said. "The decision isn't up to me, but if it was offered to me I'd be happy to take it. Stokes backs Brook - but who should be England's next captain?Bazball burns where it was born as England enter uncertain futureListen to our pundits on the Sky Sports Cricket PodcastStream England cricket and more without a contract on NOW "It would be a tough job [across all formats], but everything is tough in cricket. It's a hard sport and I've committed completely to England. I don't want to play franchise cricket apart from The Hundred. Everything I want to do is to play cricket for England." Stokes has also identified Brook as his natural successor. "I like trying to be fearless and putting pressure back on the opposition," Brook said. "But the decision isn't up to me." He added: "I love working with [Brendon] McCullum. He's an unbelievable coach." Stokes backs Brook for Test captain Stokes has made it clear who he thinks should follow him as England Test captain. "If I was asked who I think should do it, I would be throwing my 100 per cent support behind Harry Brook," Stokes said. "There's absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn't be asked to do that. He's an incredible player, one of the more senior players in this group - we all know he's a phenomenally talented individual when it comes to his skill as a batter. "If you lump a bit more responsibility on his shoulders with this team, we don't know if that's going to show any more improvement in the skills he's already got. Only time will tell. "But you don't ask someone to be vice-captain if you don't think they've got the skills or the ability to captain the team when they need to." England vs New Zealand resultsFirst Test (Lord's) - England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) - New Zealand won by 253 runsThird Test (Trent Bridge) - New Zealand won by 160 runs Watch the first T20I between England and India live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5pm on Wednesday (5.30pm start).