THE PAY GAP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

Early day motion 947, tabled 25 March 2003 by Julie Morgan (Labour). Signed by 134 members.

That this House notes that after 33 years since the Equal Pay Act was introduced, the pay gap between men and women for full-time work remains considerable at 19 per cent.; further notes that the pay gap for part-time work is even larger at 41 per cent. and that this has remained unchanged for the last 25 years; acknowledges that in retirement, women suffer the consequences of a lifetime of pay inequality as the pay gap grows to become an income gap of 44 per cent.; commends recent research commissioned by the Equal Opportunities Commission that shows only 18 per cent. of large employers and 10 per cent. of medium-sized employers have actually carried out a pay review or are in the process of doing so; acknowledges that without conducting a pay review employers may be unaware that pay inequality exists in their organisation; welcomes the steps the Government has already taken to address the pay gap; but urges the Government to go further and give the strongest possible lead to employers.

Signatures by party: Labour 99, Liberal Democrat 18, Labour/Co-operative 10, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, DUP 1.