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Government statistics show that women suffer a substantial loss of around £65,600 in income by the point their eldest child turns five, demonstrating the so-called “maternal penalty” that risks their economic stability.

Significant and Enduring Earnings Decline

Women in the UK face a “significant and enduring drop” in their income following having children, as they are less inclined to stay in a job, as stated by findings.

The study found that women’s typical monthly income had dropped by forty-two percent, or £1,051 per month, 60 months after the arrival of their first child, compared with their pay one year before the birth.

Cumulative Financial Impact Across Multiple Kids

It amounts to a forfeiture of over £65,600 across five years, according to the research, which monitored earnings information from 2014 through 2022.

Typically, there is an extra reduction of around £26,300 following the birth of a second baby, and then a further £32,456 after the birth of a third baby.

Women are getting “punished for parenting, marginalized at their jobs, and expected to just absorb the cost.”

“And, the more children you have, the greater the drop. This isn’t a gentle drop - it’s a economic nosedive resulting in financial loss of over £100,000 for a woman of 3 children.”

Catastrophic Effect on Quality of Life

Analysts described the drop in pay as “severe for mothers’ living standards.”

“Money is freedom, and depriving mothers of that independence because they chose to become mothers is absolutely unacceptable.”

The figures reflect the unfair situation for employed women, with calls for family leave policies to be updated into the 21st century.

“Addressing the maternal price demands bringing parental leave policies into the 21st century, making sure all mothers and partners get ample compensated time off when they start as caregivers – we should properly support parenthood together with work, not in opposition to it.”

Current Family Leave Rules

Joint family leave was established in recent years, enabling parents to split up to almost a year of leave, and up to 37 weeks of pay after the birth or adopting of a baby.

However, usage has remained low.

Under current regulations, mothers’ leave is compensated at 90% of a mother’s typical weekly income for the first six weeks, then drops to the lesser of either £187.18 a per week or ninety percent of the woman’s average salary for over seven months.

Expectant dads can receive two weeks’ paid leave at a rate of either around £187 a per week or ninety percent of typical weekly pay, whichever is lowest.

Official Examination and Early Years Support

Authorities has promised positive steps from making adaptable schedules the standard, to enhanced safeguards for expectant mothers and day-one paternity rights.

But with childcare funding for children aged nine months old plus just now being introduced and nurseries in some areas struggling to accommodate demand, there’s still a considerable distance to go before mothers are on an level playing field.

In September, employed mothers and fathers who have an income below £100,000 a year became qualified for 30 hours of state-supported childcare a per week during school terms for children from nine months old to four years old.

The roll-out coincides with the early care industry encounters recruitment and funding challenges.

A survey found that ninety-four percent of nurseries were expected to raise their fees for ineligible households.