Freedom of Information requests by Labour revealed that there were 29,332 students in 2010 compared to 27,410 this year. In London there were 400 fewer places while in the West Midlands 509 places had been dropped.
In response to the figures, Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "If these figures prove to be correct we will be deeply concerned. Just a few months ago the government promised to maintain the number of midwifery training places. I will be urgently seeking clarification and reassurance on this from the government."
While not challenging the figures, the Department of Health said that near record numbers of nurses and midwives are working in the NHS.
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