Tunbridge Wells sees rise in single mothers

Tunbridge Wells is home to more unmarried mothers than Tower Hamlets, according to research published today.

In all, 32.6 per cent of babies were born out of wedlock in the Kent spa town in 2002, compared with 20.5 per cent in Tower Hamlets.

Traditional family values are being turned on their head by parents who shun marriage, an article in The Economist reveals.

While social values have become more slack in England's countryside there has been a fall of babies born out of wedlock in London since 1990.

In fact the capital could now be viewed as "more socially conservative than the trueblue shires".

In 1991, London had the highest rate of unmarried mothers in England and Wales but now has a lower than average number.

Immigrants who retain their old-fashioned moral values are behind the reversal, The Economist argues.

The cost of living could also explain the surprising new figures, with London being considered too expensive for many single mothers.