Poorer mums face job woes

WOMEN living in poorer areas are more likely to be out of work after childbirth than better-off mums, a major study revealed.

Researchers tracked groups of women five years apart at three key stages of their young children’s lives.

Published yesterday by the SNP Government, it shows women who gave up work before childbirth, and had not returned to work by age five, tended to live in poorer areas.

They were more likely to be younger, less educated and single.

Barriers still include unsuitable jobs and childcare issues, despite years of government attempts to make provision better.

Other problems include claims childcare is too expensive to make work “worthwhile”.

The SNP admitted more work is needed so mums don’t have to choose between career or family.

Labour warned there are “fundamental” problems in training and the jobs market.

The report authors admitted the findings pose tough questions for policy makers. It reads: “On the one hand, in 2015, mothers of young children were more likely to be in paid work than previously.

“On the other hand, mothers living in disadvantaged circumstances appeared to be disproportionately unsuccessful in securing work and more likely to leave paid work after having a child.”

Labour’s Jackie Baillie said: “Clearly, there is still more we can do to ensure no one is forced to choose between their career or their family responsibilities.”