Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Equitable Pay: Women

Wednesday 26 April 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The gender pay gap has fallen by approximately a quarter in the last decade.
  • The gender pensions gap is complex, tied to labour market factors, the pensions system, and demographic differences.
  • The government is supporting the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill to deliver changes including requiring employers to consult with an employee before rejecting a request for flexible working.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anum Qaisar
Women & Equalities
Context

The gender pay gap remains an issue, with women facing lower wages compared to men. The questioner seeks details on government actions.

Question

I am concerned about the steps taken by the Government to ensure equitable pay for women. Despite the introduction of gender pay gap reporting, significant disparities persist. What specific measures have been implemented and what further action is planned?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The gender pay gap has fallen by approximately a quarter in the last decade. The Conservative Government introduced gender pay gap reporting, building on the pay protections we already have in the Equality Act 2010. That has motivated employers to look at their pay data and include workplace gender equality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide specific measures or additional actions planned beyond mentioning reporting initiatives.

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

There is a significant gender pension gap impacting women in the UK, which campaigners argue needs urgent attention.

Question

The gender pay gap leads to a gender pension gap affecting many women. The government lacks a proper definition for this issue. Does the Minister agree that delays are unacceptable? What representations have been made to colleagues at DWP?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The gender pensions gap, as the hon. Lady described it, is complex, tied to labour market factors, the pensions system and demographic differences. By 2030 more than 3 million women will have benefited from a higher state pension through our new state pension reforms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not address the urgency of reducing the gender pension gap or specific representations made to colleagues at DWP.

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Q3 Anum Qaisar
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The Fawcett Society reports that many women want to work but are prevented by lack of flexible options and childcare costs. Current reforms still require employees to request flexible working.

Question

Fawcett Society evidence shows over a third of women wish to work but face barriers like lack of flexible working options and affordable childcare. The proposed consultation requires employees to request such changes. Will the Minister ensure this is enshrined as a day one right?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The hon. Lady will know that we are supporting the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, which aims to deliver changes including requiring employers to consult with an employee before rejecting a request for flexible working and enabling employees to make two requests annually.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not commit to enshrining flexible working as a day-one right but discusses supportive measures through the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill.

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Q4 Jo Gideon
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

Campaigners highlight the gender pay gap and cost of living crisis, impacting many women financially.

Question

Campaigners stress the combined effects of the gender pay gap and rising costs on women's finances. What financial support is my right hon. Friend providing to help these women?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The decisive action we have taken supports households across the UK, prioritising those most vulnerable. We deliver the largest ever increase in the national living wage, benefiting more than 2 million people, disproportionately women, and increasing benefits in line with inflation for over 10 million working-age families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response addresses financial support broadly but does not specify direct measures targeting the gender pay gap and cost of living crisis.

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Q5 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Women & Equalities
Context

The Fawcett Society indicates that the UK lags behind other European countries in tackling ethnic pay gaps, with no mandatory reporting or action plans required.

Question

Fawcett Society data shows UK falls short compared to Europe on mandatory actions for closing gender and ethnicity pay gaps. Why won't they require employers to set out equality action plans? If inaction continues, will employment law be devolved to Scotland?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

As I have said in almost every discussion about equality, mandatory ethnicity reporting is not the appropriate tool. Ethnicity pay gap reporting cannot be compared to gender pay gap reporting due to its complexity and dependency on geography among other factors.

Not addressed: The response avoids addressing why intersectional ethnicity pay gap reporting or employer action plans are refused, instead focusing on reasons against mandatory ethnicity reporting.

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