Gender pay gap narrows
THE PAY gap between men and women has slipped below 10 per cent for the first time, according to official figures released yesterday.
With women’s hourly rates rising more than men’s, the gap was recorded at 9.1 per cent in April this year – down from 10.1 per cent in April 2010.
Furthermore, women working part-time have expanded the amount by which they earn more than men who have part-time roles, to 5.6 per cent more, up from 4.3 per cent.
However, sluggish wage growth across the board, combined with high inflation, continues to squeeze both sexes. Full time wages were up by just 0.8 per cent and 0.3 per cent in the public and private sector respectively.
The consumer price index measure of inflation came in at five per cent annualised in October.
London has the highest full time wage, the Office for National Statistics said, averaging £651 gross per week.