Gloria De Piero MP, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, commenting on a survey by Mumsnet revealing the scale of discrimination faced by mothers, said:

“It’s time to stop penalising women who want to have a family and a career. It’s a waste of women’s talents and bad for business too.

"We need to strengthen the law against maternity discrimination and support mums and dads to balance work with having a family. But with the cost of nursery places 30% higher and 578 fewer Sure Start Centres under David Cameron it’s no wonder mums are feeling the strain.

"That’s why Labour would extend free nursery places for 3 and 4 year olds from 15 to 25 hours a week for working parents and give a legal guarantee to parents that they will have access to breakfast and after school clubs whilst their children are at primary school.”