Financial pressure forces new mums back to work

Debt and financial concerns are forcing new mothers to return to work and could result in modern day mums losing the choice over whether to work or stay at home, according to a new study by uSwitch.com.

Three quarters of new mothers (75%) would be a stay-at-home mum if money was no object, but instead almost six in ten (58%) are forced back to work because of debt and financial worries.

Money worries are such an overwhelming driver for those heading back to the office that just 14% of mums do so because they want to continue their career. However almost one in ten (9%) feel their career progression suffered as a result of taking maternity leave.

The survey also found that, at a time when finances are already pushed to breaking point, almost one in ten (9%) say that their earning capacity has been hindered by having a baby. Worryingly a further fifth (18%) say both their earning capacity and career progression has been dealt a blow.