This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28832500
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Recession 'widening gender pay gap' | Recession 'widening gender pay gap' |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 820,000 more women have moved into low paid, insecure jobs since the start of the recession in 2008, according to a new report. | More than 820,000 more women have moved into low paid, insecure jobs since the start of the recession in 2008, according to a new report. |
The Fawcett Society said the employment changes are fuelling a widening "inequality gap". | The Fawcett Society said the employment changes are fuelling a widening "inequality gap". |
One in eight low paid women now describe themselves as on a zero hours contract, said the campaign group. | One in eight low paid women now describe themselves as on a zero hours contract, said the campaign group. |
But Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women and Equalities, said the government had improved prospects for working women. | But Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women and Equalities, said the government had improved prospects for working women. |
The Fawcett Society's survey of 1,000 low paid women found that almost half felt worse off than five years ago and nearly one in 10 had taken out a loan from a pay day lender in the past year. | The Fawcett Society's survey of 1,000 low paid women found that almost half felt worse off than five years ago and nearly one in 10 had taken out a loan from a pay day lender in the past year. |
The society said increasing levels of women in low paid work, along with the declining value of low pay, was contributing to a widening inequality gap between women and men. | The society said increasing levels of women in low paid work, along with the declining value of low pay, was contributing to a widening inequality gap between women and men. |
The gender pay gap rose for the first time in five years, and now stands at 19.1% for all employees, it said. | The gender pay gap rose for the first time in five years, and now stands at 19.1% for all employees, it said. |
'Shut out' | 'Shut out' |
Dr Eva Neitzert, deputy chief executive at the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for women's equality and rights, said: "The evidence is clear, after five years of decline, the UK economy is back on the upswing. Employment is up, unemployment is down and GDP is improving. | |
"However, as our research shows, low paid women are being firmly shut out of the recovery. The numbers of women in low paid, insecure work are still alarmingly high," she said. | "However, as our research shows, low paid women are being firmly shut out of the recovery. The numbers of women in low paid, insecure work are still alarmingly high," she said. |
But, although Ms Morgan acknowledged that the gender pay gap was too high, she insisted that employment prospects for women were improving. | But, although Ms Morgan acknowledged that the gender pay gap was too high, she insisted that employment prospects for women were improving. |
"We're committed to delivering a long term economic plan that works for women," she said. Measures such as the right to request flexible working and the extension of free childcare to 15 hours a week were making a difference, she said. | "We're committed to delivering a long term economic plan that works for women," she said. Measures such as the right to request flexible working and the extension of free childcare to 15 hours a week were making a difference, she said. |
"As a result we're seeing more women in full time work than ever before and although the gender pay gap remains too high, it is narrowing and for full-time workers under 40 is almost zero," Ms Morgan said. | "As a result we're seeing more women in full time work than ever before and although the gender pay gap remains too high, it is narrowing and for full-time workers under 40 is almost zero," Ms Morgan said. |
However, Gloria De Piero, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, said: "It's clear that this isn't a recovery for working women. Under David Cameron and Nick Clegg, more women are struggling on low pay, in insecure jobs and not getting the hours they and their families need." |
Previous version
1
Next version