Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference the publication of the pay comparison data collected by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement.

In 2017 we introduced ground-breaking regulations requiring large employers to publish their gender pay gaps annually. We have recently passed the second reporting deadline, and over 10,000 employers have provided their data. The Equality and Human Rights Commission will take action with those who have failed to report or provided inaccurate data.

We are supporting employers to take action to reduce their gaps. We have recently published guidance on how to diagnose the causes of a gap and how to create an effective action plan.

The government is also taking action to close the gender pay gap by making flexible working a reality for all employees, introducing Shared Parental Leave, supporting the Hampton-Alexander Review to increase the number of women in senior leadership positions, and doubling the childcare entitlement for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds.