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The SNP's Patricia Gibson says there needs to be a campaign to break the taboo around baby loss and "the silence that we all know exists" on the topic.

"The tragedy of baby loss and still birth is terrifyingly common," she says, adding that around 6,500 babies are lost annually. Two will have been lost during the course of this debate, she adds.

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The DUP's Jim Shannon says his mother and sister have suffered a number of miscarriages, as well as a member of his staff.

"Some pain can never find a voice" and we can never be sure of those who have suffered from baby loss, he adds.

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Liberal Democrat Jamie Stone says that he is regretful that he never spoke to his mother fully about the number of miscarriages she had between his birth and his brother's birth.

He says it was a "searing wound" to see what happens to people when they lose a baby, he adds that he hopes he was able to help his two daughters when losing a child.

He adds that he believes men are just as badly affected by baby loss as women.

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Conservative MP Will Quince says he doesn't want this to be a "back patting debate" as there is "more that needs to be done".

He says that bereavement suites are needed in every hospital to ensure a safe and comforting place for bereaved parents.

"No parent should suffer a death of a child somewhere where they can hear babies crying, and see congratulations balloons," he says.

Mr Quince also suggests that cold cots should be made more accessible in all hospitals so that parents can spend as much time as they would like to with their children after their passing.

He also stresses the need for full time bereavement midwives in every hospital.

"It is hugely important that men are speaking in this debate, as they are often treated as the spare part by accident not design. This is something the NHS needs to get better at."

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Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins says every time she hears of another case of modern slavery she finds it "beyond comprehension" as to how one human can treat another in such a way.

Victims will get a minimum of 45 days to move on after they are recovered from slavery from April 2019, she says.

There are currently 950 live investigations underway by police forces, she says, which is an increase on years past.

Labour's Gareth Snell says the appetite is there and the need is clear on change in tackling modern slavery.

With that, the debate closes.

Members of parliament this evening mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, external, which runs from 9 October to 15 October every year.

Now in its 16th year, the week is a collaborative effort by over 60 different charities that aims to raise awareness about the key issues that affect those who have experienced baby loss - be it during pregnancy, at or soon after birth, or during infancy.

Thousands of parents every year experience the death of their baby within the first years of life. As well as commemorating lost lives, the week aims to raise awareness of the support and services available for those affected.

Today’s backbench debate to mark the week has been secured by Conservative MP Antoinette Sandbach, who has previously spoken movingly about the loss of her own child.

Writing in the House magazine, external, Ms Sandbach says it’s an opportunity to celebrate progress made in “reducing the number of parents who lose a child, and in making sure that those who do are properly supported”.

The government is currently piloting a national bereavement care pathway, which supports families who have suffered baby loss, before it is rolled out across the country. The target to halve the rate of stillbirths, neonatal and maternal deaths, and brain injuries has also been brought forward to 2025.

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Labour MP Hugh Gaffney says his son was eight months old when he was taken ill with meningitis and given 24 hours to live. Luckily, he says, his son did survive, but he saw a glimpse of the grief bereaved parents must face.

Mr Gaffney says he supports the plans to ensure a reduction in infant deaths by 50% by 2023, and acknowledges the importance of this debate and the work of the all parliamentary group committee.

Conservative MP Will Quince says it is clear that "we are all united with one voice that we ensure we have world class bereavement care right across our world class NHS".

Mr Quince recalls losing his son four years ago, and says his family will be marking his son's 4th birthday which would have been on Friday with a birthday cake.

"That little baby is a huge part of somebody's life and story, we must talk about the issue. People do want to talk."

Will Quince says in hospital and post hospital care should be provided to men as well as women, as both suffer a huge loss in the bereavement of a child.

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SNP MP Stuart McDonald says discussions on modern slavery have to be "evidence-led" but he says he finds it "very hard" to understand what the status of victims of modern slavery are after they have been freed.

He says there needs to be a review of when victims of modern slavery are able to access legal aid.

Labour's Carolyn Harris adds that the UK needs to ensure it gives people "respect and dignity" after being victims of modern slavery.

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Labour's Tracy Brabin says that slavery is a product of a human want for cheap goods for the consumer.

As consumers, people have a duty to report exploitation, if "something looks like a ridiculous bargain" then someone somewhere has been exploited in the world, she says.

"The most vulnerable are relying on us," she finishes.

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Conservative Fiona Bruce says the current level of support of 40 days is not enough for victims to be able to get back on their feet. She says that there should be support of up to a year so that people have proper access to housing and financial support.

The proposal that people receive six months of drop-in support after being released from slavery is also inadequate, she says.

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The Commons now begins to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. Conservative MP Antoinette Sandbach opens the debate.

She welcomes the progress that the government has made in the past year in improving care around baby loss, and also in the raising of wider awareness of the issue.

"Good care cannot remove the parents' pain and grief, but it can help through a devastating time. In contrast, poor care can make it considerably worse."

She draws attention to the National Bereavement Pathway, which she says is receiving strong positive feedback where it is being trialled,

"If this was an exam, the student would have passed with flying colours."

"I cannot help but be concerned" by the rise in the number of child deaths in hospitals however, she says, and asks for assurance that parents are supported and deaths investigated.

She says that this year has been "an uptick and a real success" for improving baby loss support and care.

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Labour's Gareth Snell says that a Guardian investigation found two thirds of companies which had made a declaration on modern slavery had failed to abide by other commitments.

He says that the Co-op has said that it is easier for companies to not make a declaration, and, he adds, even if a declaration is made, it is not checked thoroughly, nor are there any penalties for making false declarations.

He states that he is worried as only 19% of the agricultural sector have made a statement on modern slavery, which is a sector where the problem "could be rife".

He says there "has to be" direct government action on collecting data on modern slavery, rather than relying on charities and non-governmental organisations.

Perpetrators are being punished under the new law, he says, which is positive. But, he says, there are no next steps for people once they have been found to be victims of modern slavery.

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Labour’s Alex Norris is now tabling his Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill as a ten minute rule motion. The bill seeks to make such assaults an aggravated offence – which could result in tougher sentencing.

Violent attacks on retail staff almost trebled in 2017, and Usdaw (the retail worker’s union) say that currently perpetrators often receive “derisory” sentences, or might not even be charged at all.

Mr Norris says MPs have asked retail workers to police the law on alcohol and other restricted products, which often puts them at risk, so they should therefore support and protect them.

Westminster Hall

With that, Westminster Hall moves on to their final debate on modern slavery.

The Public Accounts Committee has said that “co-ordinated action” is “critical” to helping victims of modern slavery. The report stated that the government still lacked the data in order to understand the crime, victims or its perpetrators.

The report criticised the government for not knowing how much money it spends on tackling modern slavery. With the Home Office’s Modern Slavery Strategy, introduced in 2014, the government has taken too long to learn what works in the system and the complexities of the crime.

The report also criticised the government for taking too long to decide whether or not a case will be looked at as a modern slavery case or in another category. The Committee said this is causing further distress and anxiety to vulnerable people.

The Home Office has not put in minimum care standards for victims of modern slavery and does not inspect the level of care that these victims receive. The government does not keep data on what happens to people after they have left the system and whether or not they are trafficked again.

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Education Minister Nick Gibb says that the Department for Education encourages schools to have uniforms. The idea is that it stops children from noticing if a fellow student is from a less affluent background, he states.

In the government-commissioned school uniform survey, over two thirds of parents were pleased with the cost of their school uniform.

One fifth of parents say they have suffered hardship as a result of buying school uniform, he says, but "no school uniform should be so expensive" that parents feel their child cannot attend school, he adds.

He states that the guidance is "firm" in telling schools that school uniform should be affordable.

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Independent MP Frank Field says there should be standard items from many suppliers which suit many schools, rather than distinct items of clothing for each school with special colours.

Labour's Rachel Maskell says that schools should have a recycling uniforms scheme, and adds that children whose parents can't afford school uniforms are "double stigmatised" as they are known for being poor but also can't afford a correct fitting uniform.

Mr Field adds that there are some "horror stories" about parents who go without food so their children can have the proper uniform.

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Conservative Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen says the Irish border has become a political football, but many, including the Brexit secretary, are "ignoring the reality" that neither the UK nor the Republic of Ireland will ever enforce a hard border on the island of Ireland.

He adds that they would never accept the EU enforcing a border either.

Mr Raab says it's important that the government "continues to strive" to achieve a deal that "avoids the need for any of that to ever be in question".

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The Children’s Society has found that, external school uniform costs force some families into debt. A survey conducted by the charity found that 13% of parents were getting into debt from school uniform, up from 7% in 2015.

Each school uniform costs an average of £340 for each child at secondary school, the report found. Parents of primary school children spend an average of £255, an increase of 2% since 2015.

The high cost of uniforms can be put down to schools deciding to use specialist shops for their uniforms, rather than generic shops, the report said. Where schools use specialist shops, spending on average for uniforms is around £70 per year higher.

One in ten parents said their children wear ill-fitting uniforms, while one in 20 said their child had been sent home for wearing the wrong clothing, all down to cost.