Childcare 'hinders mothers' careers', says report

Childcare is the biggest barrier for women going back to work, according to a new report which examined the financial challenges facing working women.

More than a thousand women were surveyed for the report which found that more than half see no end to the obstacles hindering their career.

It also found that almost one in four women with children under five spend more than a quarter of their salary on childcare.

More than half of the women think they will still be struggling much more than men to secure senior roles in 2020.

Working mum Amanda Hickling told the BBC she had been lucky as her company allowed her to work flexible hours.

But Kim Clarke, from Friends Life, said it was not so easy for some mothers.