Gender Pay Gap 2025-02-05
2025-02-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The progress on closing the gender pay gap stalled under the last Government, necessitating further action to address disparities.
What steps is she taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the gender pay gap? The Minister for Women and Equalities has responded by highlighting efforts in the Employment Rights Bill requiring large employers to publish gender pay gap action plans. Does she agree that while the Conservatives think that maternity pay has “gone too far” and that the childcare roll-out is a mistake, it is this UK Labour Government who are supporting women in my Livingston constituency and right across the country by bringing in better protections for pregnant women and mums on maternity leave?
Yes, this Government know that supporting hard-working parents is fundamental for economic growth. Enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mums will make it clear to them that the law is on their side. That is the right thing for women, and it is the right thing for our economy.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There is a need to encourage young women to consider apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated fields such as mechanics and joinery, which are equally well paid.
What discussions have taken place with the Department for Education about encouraging young women to consider apprenticeships in mechanics, joinery and a host of other trades that are equally well paid? They can do those jobs every bit as well as men, but they have been historically under-represented.
Next week is National Apprenticeship Week. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that more girls see a future for themselves in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Again, that will be great for them and great for our economy.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A recent employment tribunal ruled that predominantly female Asda employees and predominantly male warehouse staff were carrying out work of equal value, potentially costing the company £1.2 billion in back pay.
On Monday, a judge in an employment tribunal brought by the GMB union ruled that predominantly female Asda employees on the shop floor and predominantly male employees working in Asda’s warehouses—completely different roles with different conditions—were carrying out work of equal value. The ruling could cost Asda £1.2 billion in back pay and an annual wage bill increase of £400 million—an even bigger blow than the additional £100 million increase in the company’s wage bill as a result of the Chancellor’s Budget. Does the Minister agree that private companies should be free to set different wages for completely different jobs, irrespective of the gender balance in those roles, without being overruled by the courts?
Business knows that having pay that is in line with skills, and equal pay for work of equal value, is incredibly important. Matters covered in employment tribunals are for those tribunals to determine.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy