New drive to end gender pay gap

The Prime Minister has announced a new drive to improve workplace equality and end the gender pay gap.

Theresa May has called on more companies to report their gender pay gap and take action to close it.

New figures published by the ONS show the UK’s overall gender pay gap rising marginally to 18.4 per cent, but the gap for full-time workers falling to a record low.

To close the gender pay gap further, the Prime Minister is calling on companies to: improve the pipeline to ensure progress on female representation at senior levels, including supporting women to progress middle management and offering return-to-work schemes; publish their gender pay gap data, including companies with fewer than 250 employees; and make flexible working a reality for all employees by advertising all jobs as flexible from day one, unless there are solid business reasons not to.

As part of the commitment to drive forward workplace equality, the Women’s Business Council will be advising the Prime Minister on progress and good practice in business. The council will also be providing recommendations in key areas including middle management, flexible working, working parents and return-to-work schemes.

By closing gender pay gaps in work it is predicted that £150 billion will be added to the UK economy by 2025.

Theresa May, Prime Minister, said: “Tackling injustices like the gender pay gap is part of building a country that works for everyone.

“Already many of the UK’s top companies are leading the way in making sure everyone’s contributions to the workplace are valued equally, and it is encouraging news that the gap has fallen this year for full-time workers.

“But the gender pay gap isn’t going to close on its own – we all need to be taking sustained action to make sure we address this.

“We need to see a real step-change in the number of companies publishing their gender pay data and offering progression and flexibility for all employees.”

Justine Greening, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “It is simply good business sense to recognise the enormous potential of women and to take action to nurture and progress female talent.

“That is why we have introduced a legal requirement for all large employers to publish their gender pay and bonus data by April 2018. Employers now need to get on with publishing their pay gap. By shining a light on where there are gaps, they can take action and make sure that we are harnessing the talents and skills of men and women‎.”