Cash bid to win back midwives

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The initiative is part of a drive to recruit thousands more midwives to the health service over the next three years following repeated warnings about shortages.

Incentives will include free training and support with childcare and travel costs, on top of a grant of up to £1,500.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) welcomed the move but the Conservatives accused the Government of responding slowly to a staffing crisis and failing to explain where the money would come from.

Mr Johnson said the package would enable the recruitment of an extra 4,000 midwives to the NHS by 2012.

Alan Johnson said: "Many of these extra midwives will be new to the profession, but there are also former midwives whose expertise could be brought back to the NHS given the right support.

"This is why we will make up to £3,000 worth of support available to each returning midwife, providing free training and financial support while they study."

The costs will come out of £330 million of funding announced in January for maternity services.

Dame Karlene Davis, general secretary of the RCM, welcomed the Government's recognition of the need to increase the number of midwives and said: "The RCM will wish to see a sustained programme of support for midwives from the Government," she added.

But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley accused the Government of "chasing headlines".