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Thousands of women who have babies under five could find themselves THOUSANDS worse off. A 'motherhood penalty’ costs women an average £65,618 in pay by the time their first child turns five.

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.

It found that women’s average monthly earnings had fallen by 42% , or £1,051 per month, five years after the birth of their first child, compared with their pay one year before the birth.

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This equates to a loss of £65,618 over five years, according to the analysis. Rachel Grocott, chief executive of the

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