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Women earning '£100 a week less' Women earning '£100 a week less'
(about 4 hours later)
Women in Northern Ireland earn nearly £100 a week less then men, according to a government report.Women in Northern Ireland earn nearly £100 a week less then men, according to a government report.
During 2004/2005 the average income for women was 63% of that of men, £164 per week compared to £260.During 2004/2005 the average income for women was 63% of that of men, £164 per week compared to £260.
The findings are in the Department for Social Development's Individual Incomes Series report.The findings are in the Department for Social Development's Individual Incomes Series report.
it said separated women had the highest female incomes at £246 per week while cohabiting men received the highest male incomes at £323 per week. It said separated women had the highest female incomes at £246 per week while cohabiting men received the highest male incomes at £323 per week.
It records 15,000 men and 19,000 women as having "no income", which amounts to 3% of males and 3% of females.It records 15,000 men and 19,000 women as having "no income", which amounts to 3% of males and 3% of females.
The report said that for women, 65% of income was from earnings (employment and self-employment); 25% from benefits and 4% from Non-State Pensions.The report said that for women, 65% of income was from earnings (employment and self-employment); 25% from benefits and 4% from Non-State Pensions.
For men, 80% of income was sourced from earnings (employment and self-employment); 10% from benefits and 6% from Non-State Pensions.For men, 80% of income was sourced from earnings (employment and self-employment); 10% from benefits and 6% from Non-State Pensions.
Women are less likely to be in work, said the Equality Commission
Anne McKernan of the Equality Commission said the report revealed "a gap in income based on gender which has to be of great concern".
"The gap identified is much bigger than that between rates of pay for people in work," she said.
"This report, which shows a gap of 37% between men and women's income, demonstrates the importance of the societal differences between men and women's participation in the economy and the workforce."
She said that women were less likely to be in work or seeking work, and less likely to have unbroken careers due to caring responsilities.
"Employment in Northern Ireland remains strongly segregated by gender," she said.
"Horizontal segregation crowds women into female dominated occupations - which tend to be less well paid.
"Vertical segregation means that there are more women at the bottom of the jobs' ladder, with limited opportunities to gain the promotions which would enable them to earn more."
Other facts revealed by the report include:Other facts revealed by the report include:
  • Women looking after the family and/or home contributed to 11% of total family income.
  • Women looking after the family and/or home contributed to 11% of total family income.
  • For families with incomes under £300 per week, three-fifths of total family income came from men's income.
  • For families with incomes under £300 per week, three-fifths of total family income came from men's income.
  • The highest total individual incomes came from those in full-time employment; £317 per week for women and £365 per week for men.
  • The highest total individual incomes came from those in full-time employment; £317 per week for women and £365 per week for men.
  • 50% of women's incomes fell into the bottom two quintiles of the income distribution, compared to only 30% of men.
  • 50% of women's incomes fell into the bottom two quintiles of the income distribution, compared to only 30% of men.