The Economic Paradox: Can Britain Afford to Penalise Parenthood?

Robert Richardson | 8th September 2026 | Comment
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

In an exclusive op-ed for Mace, hospitality industry leader Robert Richardson sets out why the sector must do more to become accessible to young families.

“I want more young people to have children, if they so choose.” The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, June 2025. Whatever your political persuasion, few would disagree with the sentiment. But it also raises an important question. Can we simultaneously worry about falling birth rates while maintaining employment structures that can financially or professionally penalise people for having children? Government: We want more young people to have children.  Workplace reality: Having children can damage earnings, limit career progression and make it harder to return to a role that properly reflects an individual’s skills and experience. This is not simply a social paradox, it is a talent, skills and productivity challenge. Put another way, great economies are built by great organisations, and great organisations are built by great people, and great people create the foundations upon which future generations can build. At a time when employers across the economy regularly cite skills shortag...

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