‘Motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by time first child turns five

Women's average monthly earnings fall by 42% compared with one year before birth, ONS study finds

Mothers lose an average of 65,618 in pay by the time their first child turns five, as the motherhood penalty" risks their financial security, official figures show.

Mums in England are hit by a substantial and long-lasting reduction" in their pay after they have children, as they become less likely to stay in paid employment, the Office for National Statistics have said.