Furlough refused to 71% of UK working mothers while schools shut - survey

TUC say responses highlight rapid reversal in gender equality that could take decades to repair

More than 70% of working mothers who asked to be furloughed for childcare reasons since schools shut have been refused, according to a survey that experts said highlighted a rapid reversal in gender equality that will take decades to repair.

The survey of 50,000 women in the UK has revealed the crisis facing working mothers and was described as a cry for help" by trade union umbrella body the TUC.