Charity reports that 10% of mothers with young children leave their jobs due to childcare issues

According to research conducted by the Fawcett Society, around 250,000 mothers with young children have quit their jobs due to childcare pressures. The study also found that many women are missing out on career opportunities for the same reason. Despite more mothers working than ever before, they face a "motherhood penalty" as their careers fail to progress. The lack of flexible working arrangements and affordable childcare, along with outdated attitudes towards motherhood, are holding women back. The survey conducted by the Fawcett Society and recruitment firm Totaljobs reveals that less than a third of working mothers with children under four have the necessary flexible working arrangements. It also suggests that even those who decide to continue working feel held back by the demands of childcare. The survey found that 41% of mothers surveyed had turned down a promotion or career development opportunity because of concerns about childcare arrangements. This issue not only impacts women, but also has an effect on the UK economy by hindering productivity and making it harder to close the gender pay gap. The Fawcett Society is calling on the government and businesses to provide more support for mothers, including flexible working arrangements and the creation of family-friendly environments. The government has announced an increase in free childcare provision for working parents in England, which will provide 30 hours of free childcare a week for children from nine months old to school age. The Fawcett Society is urging employers to challenge the assumption that pregnant women and mothers are less interested in career progression, as the majority of them remain just as ambitious.