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Official statistics reveal that women face a staggering loss of around £65,600 in pay by the point their first baby reaches five years old, highlighting the so-called “maternal price” that jeopardizes their financial security.

Significant and Enduring Pay Decline

Mothers in England undergo a “considerable and prolonged decline” in their pay after having children, as they become less likely to stay in the workforce, according to analysis.

Analysis revealed that mothers’ average monthly income had decreased by 42%, or over £1,000 per month, 60 months following the birth of their first child, versus their pay one year prior to the child’s arrival.

Total Losses For Several Kids

It translates to a loss of over £65,600 across a five-year period, based on the research, which monitored earnings information from 2014 to 2022.

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

Mothers are getting “penalized for parenting, sidelined at their jobs, and expected to just bear the expense.”

“And, the more children you have, the steeper the decline. It’s not a gentle decline - it’s a financial freefall leading to economic loss of over £100,000 for a woman of three kids.”

Severe Impact on Living Standards

Commentators labeled the drop in income as “devastating for mothers’ well-being.”

“Income is independence, and stripping women of that independence because they chose to become mothers is nothing short of scandalous.”

Statistics show the unfair situation for working mothers, with demands for family leave policies to be updated into the modern era.

“Solving the motherhood penalty needs bringing parental leave policies into the 21st century, making sure both mothers and fathers get adequate compensated time off when they become caregivers – we should properly support parenthood together with employment, not in opposition to it.”

Current Family Leave Rules

Shared parental leave was introduced in recent years, enabling parents to share up to 50 weeks of time off, and up to over eight months of pay after the arrival or adoption of a child.

Yet, uptake has remained minimal.

Under existing rules, maternity leave is paid at ninety percent of a woman’s average weekly pay for the initial one and a half months, then decreases to the lowest of either £187.18 a per week or 90% of the mother’s typical pay for over seven months.

Expectant dads can receive 14 days paid time off at a rate of either £187.18 a week or 90% of typical weekly income, whichever is less.

Government Examination and Childcare Support

Authorities has pledged positive measures from making flexible working the standard, to enhanced protections for expectant mothers and immediate paternity rights.

But with nursery support for children aged nine months old and older just now rolling out and childcare providers in some areas finding it hard to accommodate demand, there’s yet a long way to go before mothers are on an level playing field.

In September, employed mothers and fathers who earn up to £100k a annually were qualified for 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week during school terms for kids from nine months old to four years.

This initiative coincides with the early care sector encounters staffing and financial challenges.

A survey found that 94% of nurseries were expected to increase their rates for ineligible households.