Preston’s working mums are being able to balance work and home life better than anyone in the North of England, according to new statistics.
Low childcare costs, coupled with cheaper rent-to-home ratios and higher-than-average wages are allowing the city’s mums to have breathing room when it comes to returning to the workplace for part-time or shorter working weeks.
The city came second to Stafford where England’s working mums can budget better and allow for a more coherent work-life balance.
Read more: Two Preston mums juggle work, study and parenting to graduate with teaching degree
Reflecting on her campaign efforts for the four-day week, Labour MP Maya Ellis for Ribble Valley, told Blog Preston how she continues to navigate an exciting political career while being a mum to two children.
She said: “Preston and Lancashire’s economies are growing rapidly, creating good jobs while remaining relatively affordable places to live.
“That balance has been really important in my own career, allowing me to combine shorter working hours with caring responsibilities and community work.
“I have long campaigned for the four-day week because I believe we would all be better off if we could support ourselves on shorter working weeks, with more time for our families and to give back to our communities.
“Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, being passed this week, is a step towards that, guaranteeing day-one rights to flexible working, stronger protections around parental leave, and a review of how we support working parents.
“This will make it easier for people, especially mums, to find a fairer balance between work, care and family life.”
Read more: Preston mum creates weekly support group for new parents
Data from family blogging site coworkingcafe.com shows more mums than ever are back in the workplace after having children, with 80 per cent now in paid employment and Preston performing as a “cost-comfort” hotspot for places offering some of the lowest childcare costs in the country.
More than 80 town and cities were analysed as part of the survey which measured aspects including school access, health care, air quality, housing affordability and income.
There is also good news for Lancaster which came out on top for the best city, making life easier for working mums.
Lancaster beat cities such as Exeter and Winchester to the top spot and was the only place ranked in the top three from the north, while Preston’s success in the cost-comfort charts means mums from the city are amongst the best at making their household budget on track.
Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Finding a work-life balance is important for working parents so it is encouraging to see Preston mums can find time for work and family life.
“The city has always been hard-working and its diverse economy means there are always enough part-time and temporary work available for those who require it.
“This suits the mums who want to earn and also want that family time so it is good to see both Preston and Lancaster at the top of these charts.”
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