Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender Pay Gap

Wednesday 20 March 2024 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Gender Pay Gap Reporting was introduced by the Conservative Government to reduce the gender pay gap.
  • The gender pay gap has decreased by about a quarter over the past decade.
  • A 10% pay rise for the lowest paid workers will be introduced next month.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about the progress made in closing the gender pay gap over the past decade.

Question

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?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Estimate of when the gender pay gap will be closed

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Q2 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Women & Equalities
Context

The question follows concerns about the differential impact of gender pay gap reduction on women with different income levels.

Question

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?

Answer from Maria Caulfield

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Percentage terms comparison among different income levels

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Q3 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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?”

Answer from Maria Caulfield

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific initiatives or actions beyond pay transparency pilot

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