'The system is failing' | 8 in 10 mothers cut maternity leave short due to financial pressure

More than eight in 10 mothers who return to work before using their full maternity leave entitlement do so because they cannot afford to remain off work, new research has found.

The State of the Nation survey 2026 from Pregnant Then Screwed, conducted in partnership with Women in Data, found that 82% of mothers who cut their leave short cited financial pressures.

Three-quarters of those returning early said they experienced discrimination, while half of all mothers felt emotionally and mentally unprepared to resume work. That figure rose to almost 70% among disabled parents.

The financial and workplace consequences were particularly pronounced among single parents, lower-income mothers, disabled parents and parents of disabled children, according to the campaign group.