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Gender pay gap almost unchanged, says ONS | Gender pay gap almost unchanged, says ONS |
(35 minutes later) | |
The gender pay gap has changed "relatively little" over the past four years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. | The gender pay gap has changed "relatively little" over the past four years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. |
The gap between men and women's pay for full-time workers was 9.4% in April 2015, compared with 9.6% in 2014. | The gap between men and women's pay for full-time workers was 9.4% in April 2015, compared with 9.6% in 2014. |
While that was the narrowest difference since the figures were first published in 1997, there has been little change overall. | While that was the narrowest difference since the figures were first published in 1997, there has been little change overall. |
Since then the pay gap has remained at around £100 a week, the ONS said. | Since then the pay gap has remained at around £100 a week, the ONS said. |
According to its Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), men working full-time earn an average of £567 a week, while women earn £471. | According to its Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), men working full-time earn an average of £567 a week, while women earn £471. |
The TUC said that, at the current rate, it could be 50 years before men and women have pay parity. | The TUC said that, at the current rate, it could be 50 years before men and women have pay parity. |
"Progress on closing the full-time gender pay gap has slowed dramatically over the last few years," said TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady. | "Progress on closing the full-time gender pay gap has slowed dramatically over the last few years," said TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady. |
"If it continues to fall at this pace, we're looking at nearly half a century before we have pay parity between women and men." | "If it continues to fall at this pace, we're looking at nearly half a century before we have pay parity between women and men." |
However, among part-time workers, women earn more than men. | However, among part-time workers, women earn more than men. |
In fact this "negative" pay gap widened in April 2015 to 6.5%, from 5.5% in 2014. | In fact this "negative" pay gap widened in April 2015 to 6.5%, from 5.5% in 2014. |
The pay gap also varies by occupation. | The pay gap also varies by occupation. |
Men working in skilled trades have the largest pay premium, at 24.6%. However the gap in sales jobs is the lowest, at 4.3%. See chart below. | Men working in skilled trades have the largest pay premium, at 24.6%. However the gap in sales jobs is the lowest, at 4.3%. See chart below. |
New legislation going before parliament will soon require companies to publish details of male and female pay. | New legislation going before parliament will soon require companies to publish details of male and female pay. |
Firms that employ more than 250 people in England, Scotland and Wales will be obliged to show average wage rates for both sexes. | Firms that employ more than 250 people in England, Scotland and Wales will be obliged to show average wage rates for both sexes. |
The government hopes the measure will reduce the pay gap. | The government hopes the measure will reduce the pay gap. |
Wage increases | Wage increases |
The ONS figures also show that average weekly pay for full-time employees was £528 in April 2015, up by 1.8% from the previous year. | The ONS figures also show that average weekly pay for full-time employees was £528 in April 2015, up by 1.8% from the previous year. |
After inflation is taken into account, earnings were up by 1.9%, the first real terms increase since 2008. | After inflation is taken into account, earnings were up by 1.9%, the first real terms increase since 2008. |
That was helped by the fact that the Consumer Prices Index fell by 0.1% in the year to April, while wages rose. | That was helped by the fact that the Consumer Prices Index fell by 0.1% in the year to April, while wages rose. |
On an annual basis, the median amount that full-time workers earned before tax was £27,600. | |
What are average earnings in your area? | What are average earnings in your area? |
Click on this link to find out | Click on this link to find out |
The Resolution Foundation, a think tank that aims to improve living standards, said pay growth had been stronger for lower paid workers, and weaker for those paid higher wages. | |
It welcomed the return of real terms earning growth, but it said that wages were still 8.9% below their peak in 2008, after taking inflation into account. | |
It said it will take another six years for pay to return to that level. | |
And it pointed out that while pay has rebounded strongly in Northern Ireland and the West Midlands, real pay has fallen in London, the East Midlands and Wales. |