The Early Years Alliance has responded to TUC’s call for burdens on working mums to be lifted with evidence showing they have been hard hit by the pandemic.

The TUC revealed that 90% of mothers they surveyed reported taking on more childcare responsibilities since the start of the pandemic, with 1 in 6 (16%) – mostly those on low-pay – saying they had no choice but to reduce their working hours as a result. 

Women have, in general, been under more strain when it comes to juggling family and work through the pandemic.

Commenting, Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance chief executive said:

‘It is troubling to see that access to childcare and early education is still significantly limiting the ability of parents, and especially mothers, to fully participate in the workforce.

‘We already know that early years provision in disadvantaged areas has been hardest hit by the pandemic, with providers in these areas at greater risk of closure, so news that these challenges have so negatively impacted working mums on lower incomes suggests another setback for disadvantaged children during the crucial early years.

‘It is clear from this evidence just how important a strong childcare and early education sector will be for the nation’s economic recovery. The government must therefore urgently review the totally inadequate early years entitlement funding, to ensure providers in all areas, including those offering wraparound care, can remain in business and able to support the families that need them.’