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David Cameron to set out plans to tackle gender pay gap David Cameron to set out plans to tackle gender pay gap
(about 1 hour later)
The government is to press ahead with plans to force large firms to disclose data on the gender pay gap among staff.The government is to press ahead with plans to force large firms to disclose data on the gender pay gap among staff.
A consultation on the measure - introduced in the final months of the coalition - is to begin on Tuesday.A consultation on the measure - introduced in the final months of the coalition - is to begin on Tuesday.
David Cameron will say the move will "pressure" firms into boosting women's wages, as he vows to eliminate the gender pay gap "within a generation".David Cameron will say the move will "pressure" firms into boosting women's wages, as he vows to eliminate the gender pay gap "within a generation".
Labour welcomed the move, but said the government had been slow to act on pay transparency.Labour welcomed the move, but said the government had been slow to act on pay transparency.
In November last year, Office for National Statistics figures suggested that the gender pay gap was at its narrowest since comparative records began in 1997.In November last year, Office for National Statistics figures suggested that the gender pay gap was at its narrowest since comparative records began in 1997.
The difference was 9.4% in April compared with 10% a year earlier.The difference was 9.4% in April compared with 10% a year earlier.
'So important''So important'
The coalition legislated in the last Parliament to require firms with more than 250 employees to publish the average pay of male and female employees - with the measures to be introduced in 12 months.The coalition legislated in the last Parliament to require firms with more than 250 employees to publish the average pay of male and female employees - with the measures to be introduced in 12 months.
The Liberal Democrats pushed for the policy at the time despite Conservative opposition - however, the Tories included mandatory equal pay reporting in their election manifesto.The Liberal Democrats pushed for the policy at the time despite Conservative opposition - however, the Tories included mandatory equal pay reporting in their election manifesto.
Confirming that the government will press ahead with the move, Mr Cameron will say it will "cast sunlight on the discrepancies and create the pressure we need for change, driving women's wages up".Confirming that the government will press ahead with the move, Mr Cameron will say it will "cast sunlight on the discrepancies and create the pressure we need for change, driving women's wages up".
A consultation will look at the detail of how the new gender pay gap regulations will be designed - including what, where and when information will be published.A consultation will look at the detail of how the new gender pay gap regulations will be designed - including what, where and when information will be published.
Writing in the Times ahead of a speech to business leaders, David Cameron said the new National Living Wage would also play an important role.Writing in the Times ahead of a speech to business leaders, David Cameron said the new National Living Wage would also play an important role.
"This will primarily help women, who tend to be in lower paid jobs," he said. "It will help close the gender pay gap."This will primarily help women, who tend to be in lower paid jobs," he said. "It will help close the gender pay gap.
"But we need to go further, and that's why introducing gender pay audits is so important.""But we need to go further, and that's why introducing gender pay audits is so important."
'Good news''Good news'
It comes as the government announces that a target of getting women into at least a quarter of boardroom seats at the UK's biggest firms by 2015 had been met.It comes as the government announces that a target of getting women into at least a quarter of boardroom seats at the UK's biggest firms by 2015 had been met.
Lord Davies had set the target in 2011 after conducting a review into the gender balance on company boards.Lord Davies had set the target in 2011 after conducting a review into the gender balance on company boards.
Women and equalities minister Nicky Morgan said she was "delighted" that the 25% target had been met but she warned that there could be no "complacency". Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Women and Equalities Minister Nicky Morgan said no final decision had been made on how companies should report the data.
She said eliminating the gender pay gap was the "right thing to do" and made "good business sense". Mrs Morgan said the gender pay gap had "virtually been eliminated" for under 40s working full time.
Ms Morgan's opposition counterpart, Gloria De Piero, said it was "good news" ministers had "finally embraced pay transparency after shelving the Labour legislation for five years". She appealed for a "real commitment" from business who she said could set their own targets.
Mrs Morgan's opposition counterpart, Gloria De Piero, said it was "good news" ministers had "finally embraced pay transparency after shelving the Labour legislation for five years".
But she added that an annual equal pay check to measure progress was needed for pay transparency to "make a real difference".But she added that an annual equal pay check to measure progress was needed for pay transparency to "make a real difference".
Lib Dem former equalities minister Jo Swinson said: "Saying we can afford to wait for another generation to close it is, to put it mildly, unambitious. Former Lib Dem equalities minister Jo Swinson said: "Saying we can afford to wait for another generation to close it is, to put it mildly, unambitious.
"The UK economy is currently missing out on the talents of too many women. In government, my Lib Dem colleagues and I fought tooth and nail with the Conservatives to get them to agree to even minimal changes to help close the gender pay gap.""The UK economy is currently missing out on the talents of too many women. In government, my Lib Dem colleagues and I fought tooth and nail with the Conservatives to get them to agree to even minimal changes to help close the gender pay gap."
'Break down barriers''Break down barriers'
Anne Francke, of the Chartered Management Institute, told the BBC the attempt to eliminate the pay gap was a "great, bold step" but warned that specific targets, not a blanket target, were needed.
Confederation of British Industry deputy director-general Katja Hall said of the 25% target being met: "Businesses recognise the value of having a diverse board that reflects society and their customers. That is why we have reached this important milestone on time.Confederation of British Industry deputy director-general Katja Hall said of the 25% target being met: "Businesses recognise the value of having a diverse board that reflects society and their customers. That is why we have reached this important milestone on time.
"But we must not let our guard drop. Progress has relied on making sure new appointments are diverse, and this must continue.""But we must not let our guard drop. Progress has relied on making sure new appointments are diverse, and this must continue."
Michelle Mone, founder of the Ultimo underwear company, said the pay disclosure requirement was "absolutely fantastic" and hoped it would "empower women to challenge this state of affairs".
John Allen, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "We need to keep up the momentum and break down the remaining barriers that prevent women progressing in the workplace and the boardroom".John Allen, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "We need to keep up the momentum and break down the remaining barriers that prevent women progressing in the workplace and the boardroom".
What do you think of the government's plans to close the gender pay gap? Do you welcome pay transparency?What do you think of the government's plans to close the gender pay gap? Do you welcome pay transparency?
Please include your telephone number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.Please include your telephone number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist.
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