Gender pay gap on the rise

New analysis of official figures by Labour shows women in the South West are being paid just 80p for every pound a man earns.

The revelation comes as Equal Pay Day - the day that women across the UK effectively start working for free due to the gender pay gap - comes three days earlier this year because the pay gap is back on the rise under this Government. That means women will work for free for the next 57 days.

A Labour Government will ask companies with over 250 staff in the South West to publish their average hourly pay gap each year to expose whether men and women are being paid differently for doing the same work, and whether too few women occupy senior positions.

Alison Seabeck MP said: “These shocking figures show the full extent of the gap in pay between men and women in Plymouth and across the country. In David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s Britain, not only do women get paid less than men, but things are getting worse. I am therefore glad that Labour is committing to requiring large companies to publish the hourly wage pay gap of their employees. This will allow us to take the steps to deliver equal pay for women and men across the country.”

Gloria De Piero MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities: “Women are working an extra three days for free this year because the pay gap is back on the rise. Women shouldn’t have to wait another 50 years for Equal Pay which is why Labour will be calling a vote in Parliament to get big companies to publish their pay gap. If this Government doesn’t act, a Labour Government will.”