Mothers give up work as childcare costs outstrip income

High childcare costs are forcing many mothers to give up work. Depressingly, a working mother could be nearly £100 a month worse off after all child and work costs are taken into account, according to research from Aviva, the insurer. Unsurprisingly, 32,000 more women have chosen to stay at home to look after their families since last autumn.

As a result, thousands of families could be left in the potentially vulnerable position of relying on a single salary. More worrying still, the study shows 95% of UK families don't feel completely financially protected against the loss of an income.