During the last 25 years the number of working mums with children under 5 has doubled. Now 62% of married or co-habiting women bring up a toddler whilst working. Back in the 80’s it was only 31%.

And 75% of women with children under 10 go out to work. But it is single mums who have been the main beneficiary of the tax credits system and they are less likely to work than married or co-habiting women.

The general trend shows that financial penalties and incentives are presuading many women into work. Despite many working mums wishing that they did not have to work, the financial pressures on the family have driven them to work.

The right of centre think tank, the Centre for Policy Studies says that there must be more support for mothers who want to stay at home beleiving that this is better for their children. But the Government has swung the other way.

Ministers have recently announced a scheme to offer subsidised child care which will further encourage mothers to work. The scheme pays £175 towards day care for a child under 14 for parents who train for a job. The payments are paid so long as the families earn less than £20,000 a year and have one partner who is in work.

Beverley Hughes, the Children’s Minister said, “We know that for those that can work, work remains the best way to take families and children out of poverty”.