Mums 'face most job discrimination'
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2007 09:30
Young mums face the most discrimination at work
Women with young children face more discrimination within the workplace than any other group, a new report is expected to claim.
The government-commissioned Equalities Review will warn that young mothers face greater discrimination at work than disabled people and those from ethnic minorities.
The independent review, which will be published later today, is expected to highlight that women with children aged under 11 are 45 per cent less likely to secure employment than men.
Commissioned by Tony Blair to investigate the "causes of persistent discrimination and inequality in British society", the report is also set to conclude that single mothers face even greater difficulty finding work, while Pakistani and Bangladeshi women living in Britain are the next most disadvantaged group.
The review, chaired by Trevor Phillips, head of the Commission for Racial Equality, is expected to call for the implementation of more family-friendly policies in response to the findings.
An interim report published by the body last March concluded that persistent inequality could "seriously damage the economy and cost society billions each year in lost income".
The review will pave the way for the creation of a new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights, which will begin work in October.