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Government data show that mothers experience a significant loss of around £65,600 in earnings by the point their eldest child turns five, exposing the termed “motherhood price” that threatens their economic stability.

Substantial and Enduring Pay Reduction

Women in the UK experience a “significant and long-lasting reduction” in their earnings after having children, as they become less likely to remain in paid employment, per research.

Research showed that mothers’ average monthly pay had decreased by forty-two percent, or £1,051 per month, five years after the arrival of their eldest baby, versus their earnings 12 months before the birth.

Cumulative Losses Across Multiple Children

This amounts to a loss of over £65,600 over a five-year period, based on the analysis, which followed pay data from 2014 to 2022.

On average, there is an further loss of £26,317 after the arrival of a second child, and then a further £32,456 following the arrival of a third baby.

Mothers are being “penalized for caring, sidelined at work, and assumed to just bear the cost.”

“Moreover, the more kids you have, the deeper the drop. This isn’t a gradual drop - it’s a economic nosedive causing financial damage of over £100,000 for a woman of three children.”

Catastrophic Effect on Living Standards

Commentators described the decline in earnings as “devastating for mothers’ living standards.”

“Income is freedom, and depriving women of that independence because they became mothers is nothing short of scandalous.”

Data mirror the unfair situation for working mothers, with demands for parental leave rules to be brought into the modern era.

“Tackling the maternal price needs bringing family leave policies into the 21st century, ensuring both mothers and partners get ample paid leave when they start as parents – we should properly accommodate parenting alongside employment, not in spite of it.”

Existing Family Leave Policies

Joint family leave was established in recent years, allowing couples to split up to 50 weeks of time off, and up to 37 weeks of earnings following the arrival or adoption of a child.

But, participation has remained minimal.

According to current rules, mothers’ leave is compensated at 90% of a mother’s typical weekly pay for the initial one and a half months, then falls to the lowest of either £187.18 a per week or 90% of the woman’s typical pay for 33 weeks.

Expectant dads can receive 14 days compensated leave at a amount of either around £187 a per week or ninety percent of typical each week pay, whichever is lowest.

Government Examination and Early Years Support

The government has promised positive measures from establishing adaptable schedules the standard, to stronger safeguards for pregnant women and day-one paternity rights.

But with childcare funding for children from nine months plus just now rolling out and childcare providers in certain regions struggling to meet demand, there’s still a considerable distance to go before women are on an equal footing.

In September, working parents who have an income below £100,000 a year were qualified for 30 hours of government-funded nursery care a week during term time for children from nine months old to four years.

This initiative coincides with the childcare sector faces recruitment and funding difficulties.

Research revealed that 94% of nurseries were expected to raise their rates for ineligible households.