article_snippet: The findings, published in an Office for National Statistics report, come at a time of continuing controversy over the pressure on mothers to go out to work and warnings over the welfare of children.
article_snippet: But at the time critics warned that the Government risked ‘stigmatising’ stay-at-home mothers.
article_snippet: A childcare voucher scheme worth up to £1,200 to parents will go into operation next month.
article_snippet: But critics accuse successive governments of doing nothing to help those who want to bring up critics own children since the decision to tax married couples separately in the late 1980s first left stay-at-home mothers without any support in the tax system.
article_snippet: While working mothers have gained heavily from tax credits, increasing maternity leave, and state-subsidised childcare, those who stay at home with working mothers children have no help from the tax system.
article_snippet: Laura Perrins, of Mothers At Home Matter, said: ‘It is a reflection of Government policy that women have to look for work when many want to look after women children instead.
highlights_snippet: Figures come at time of controversy over pressure on working mothers .
  
highlights_snippet: George Osborne wants to encourage trend by increasing childcare access .
  