WA63

Gender pay gap 'greater than previously estimated'

The gap between men and women's salary in the UK is greater than previously thought, recent research has revealed.

According to analysts Incomes Data Services (IDS), the gap between the average hourly earnings of male and female full-time workers was 19.5% last year, and not 18% as previously estimated.

This means that the gap has narrowed by just 1.7% over the six years to 2003.

Sally Brett, IDS assistant editor, said that the new estimates 'highlight the persistent inequalities both in pay levels and in access to higher paid managerial and professional jobs'.

A spokesperson for the Department of Trade and Industry said, 'We have set up the Women and Work Commission to bring together the best people and ideas to tackle the problem of the gender pay gap and make specific recommendations to Government'.

Unions are renewing calls for firms to conduct mandatory pay audits in order to ensure that female workers are not paid less than male workers.

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