The government says it will recruit 4,000 extra midwives in England by 2012 to relieve pressure on overstretched maternity services.

A Healthcare Commission report in January found a large variation in maternity care and raised concerns about staffing levels.

The announcement also comes ahead of a King's Fund report on the safety of maternity services later this week.

Health secretary, Alan Johnson, also outlined plans for former midwives to be given a "golden hello" worth £3,000 to help them return to work after a break in service.

The funding includes training, support with childcare and travel costs plus a grant of up to £1,500.

The Royal College of Midwives estimate that 5,000 extra full-time midwives are needed in England alone to cope with spiralling birth rates.

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