TUC highlights gender pay gap

The average woman effectively works for free for nearly two months of the year compared to the average man because the gender pay gap stands at 14.3%, according to analysis published by the TUC.

The analysis also shows that at current rates of progress, it will take 20 years – until 2044 – to close the gender pay gap.

Gender pay gap reporting was introduced back in 2017. However, the TUC analysis shows that – some seven years later – there are still big gender pay gaps in many industries, even in sectors dominated by female workers. This is in part because women are more likely to work part time and because they tend to be in lower paid jobs than men.  It points out that in education the gender pay gap is 21.3% while in health care and social work it is 12.6%. The biggest gap is in finance and insurance where it is 27.9%.

The TUC analysis shows that the gender pay gap affects women throughout their careers, from their first step on the ladder until they take retirement, but is widest for middle aged and older women. Women aged 40 to 49 have a gender pay gap of 17%, while those aged between 50 and 59 have a 19.7% gap and those over 60 have an 18.1% gap.

The TUC says the gender pay gap widens as women get older, due to women being more likely to take on caring responsibilities.

The analysis shows that in some parts of the country gender pay gaps are even bigger. It is largest in the South East – at 18.9% – for instance. This is likely to be caused by differences in the types of jobs and industries that are most common in that part of the country, and gender differences in who does these jobs.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s clear that just publishing gender pay gaps isn’t working. Companies must be required to publish and implement action plans to close their pay gaps. And bosses who don’t comply with the law should be fined.”

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