Fewer mothers stay at home

MOTHERS are now more likely to be in work than childless men, with the number of stay-at-home mothers falling to a record low.

The data from the Office for National Statistics show that for the first time in 20 years, the proportion of mothers who are working has overtaken the proportion of childless men in work.

Of women with dependent children, 73.7 per cent are in work, compared with 73.5 per cent of childless men. Fathers have the highest overall employment rates, with more than 90 per cent in a job. Childless women have the lowest, with less than 70 per cent.

The ONS said its analysis showed that mothers with young children were more likely to go back to work than they were 20 years ago.

The change was driven by a rise in women in full-time work, particularly those with children under 10, while the proportion of mothers in part-time employment has remained static.

One in three mothers now works full time and 38 per cent work part time.