Gloucester one of the "best places" to be a working mum
A study has found women's employment in the city is above the national average
Gloucester has been rated one of England’s best places to be a working mum.
The study carried out by website www.coworkingcafe.com from official statistics, placed Gloucester eighth in a top ten of English towns and cities where it pays to be a working mum.
A strong job market also means 82.5 percent of women in Gloucester are in work, 10 points above the national average with the average wage around £31,000.
According to the website childcare availability is ‘dependable at two children per place, schools are well-distributed at 35.6 per 10,000 pupils and childcare fees at £6 per hour remain manageable’.
It also praised the city’s economy which it describes as ‘diverse with a growing services base and relatively low claimant counts, helping explain why jobs feel secure’.
The survey also found that over 91 percent of homes had access to private outdoor space which families also value.
The majority of women are now in paid work driven in part due to the increasing cost of living and changing social norms.
However, parents in some areas can struggle with access to quality childcare, affordable housing and job markets which can make the difference between a daily struggle and a routine that runs smoothly.
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “We’re pleased to see Gloucester appearing in the top ten towns and cities for working mums. We’re working hard to attract businesses and investors to the city as well as transforming our city centre with ambitious regeneration schemes like the Forum. All this goes towards strengthening our local economy, providing more and better jobs for local people.”