From Jackie Jones, Brighton, UK
You report that births in the UK followed seasonal patterns for much of the 20th century, peaking in the spring. But I think one main factor may have been omitted: the tax rules at that time (23 May, p 4).
My parents got married at the beginning of April 1948. At that time, the man would receive the married man’s tax allowance for the entire year in which they were wed; therefore, they were incentivised to marry before the start of the new tax year a bit later in April. This, as I understood from my parents, was very common and obviously resulted in more babies being born nine months to a year later, in spring.
