Gender Pay Gap 2024-03-20
2024-03-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the progress made in closing the gender pay gap over the past decade.
If she will make an estimate of when the gender pay gap will be closed. I thank the Minister for her response. Can she indicate whether the narrowing of the gender pay gap over the past 10 years has been less pronounced, in percentage terms, among women on lower incomes than among those on larger salaries?
It was this Conservative Government who introduced mandatory gender pay gap reporting for large employers, to shine a light on the gender pay gap and promote action to close it. As a result, the gender pay gap has fallen by approximately a quarter over the past decade. Actually, the results from our gender pay gap reporting are slightly different: it is in higher-paid professions that the gender pay gap seems to exist, but that is because women are often in low-paid work. Next month, we are introducing a pay rise of 10% for the lowest paid through an increase to the national living wage.
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Assessment & feedback
Estimate of when the gender pay gap will be closed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows concerns about the differential impact of gender pay gap reduction on women with different income levels.
Can she indicate whether the narrowing of the gender pay gap over the past 10 years has been less pronounced, in percentage terms, among women on lower incomes than among those on larger salaries?
Actually, the results from our gender pay gap reporting are slightly different: it is in higher-paid professions that the gender pay gap seems to exist, but that is because women are often in low-paid work. Next month, we are introducing a pay rise of 10% for the lowest paid through an increase to the national living wage.
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Assessment & feedback
Percentage terms comparison among different income levels
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from discussions about gender inequality issues beyond pay gaps, such as pension gaps, women's representation on boards, and talent pipelines.
Yesterday, I was with the community interest company, Women on Boards, and its clear message to the Minister is, “Please can we have more action and fewer initiatives, to ensure that we make real progress in getting women in our companies, at every level?”
We absolutely are taking action. We are planning to introduce the pay transparency pilot, because in high-paid jobs, salaries are often not advertised, and women end up being paid less than men for the same role. It is such action that will make a difference to women across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific initiatives or actions beyond pay transparency pilot
Response accuracy