Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender Pay Gap

Wednesday 5 February 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister for Women and Equalities highlighted efforts in the Employment Rights Bill requiring large employers to publish gender pay gap action plans.
  • The Government is enhancing dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers to affirm that the law is on their side.
  • The Department is committed to encouraging more girls to consider apprenticeships in traditionally male-dominated trades during National Apprenticeship Week.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregor Poynton Lab Livingston
Women & Equalities
Context

The progress on closing the gender pay gap stalled under the last Government, necessitating further action to address disparities.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Anneliese Dodds)

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.

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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Education Women & Equalities
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.

Question

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.

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Anneliese Dodds)

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.

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Q3 Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon
Employment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from The Minister for Women and Equalities (Anneliese Dodds)

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.

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