Closing gender pay gap will improve UK economy, says Government

A Government spokesperson has said that closing the gender pay gap is “essential” for improving the UK economy.

Industry leaders are now also calling for businesses to encourage women to take on more senior roles to tackle the problem of inequality in the workplace.

Proportions

According to a report from law firm Clyde & Co, the proportion of women in high-earning business roles has not changed for the past five years, remaining at just over a quarter at 1.26 million.

Research in February showed that just 14% of board members of EDP/EADT Top100 firms were women, which is much less than the Government’s target of 25%.

Pure Resourcing Solutions Director Lynn Walters has urged businesses to encourage talented women in middle management to move on to the next level and to look at more flexible working practices for men and women.

Equality

A Government spokesperson said: “You can’t have true opportunity without equality and that’s why eliminating the gender pay gap is a key priority for this government.”

The spokesperson added that the Government is “committed” to supporting women at all stages of their career to make sure that they remain in the workforce and progress on to the most senior roles.

“The overall gender pay gap is the lowest on record at 19.2%, but we are clear that closing the gap is essential for improving the UK economy,” the spokesperson said.