True cost of becoming a mum highlighted in new data on pay

Mums in England face significant and lasting reductions in earnings after having children, with new data from the Office for National Statistics revealing an average drop of £1,051 per month five years post-childbirth. These findings shed light on the motherhood penalty, impacting women's careers long-term. Campaign groups emphasize the need for addressing factors like childcare costs, parental leave, and workplace discrimination to mitigate these disparities and promote more equitable opportunities for working mothers in the UK.