HC Deb 31 October 2002 vol 391 cc955-6W
33. Michael Fabricant

What proportion of her time was spent over the last month on the pay gap between the sexes. [76453]

Ms Hewitt

In the last month I have launched the public consultation on the Equal Pay Questionnaire. My hon Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) and I have hosted the first annual Castle Awards ceremony, which recognised steps taken by employers to address issues of pay inequality. Because the provisions of appropriate childcare for working parents can help in closing the gender pay gap, I have also been working with my noble Friend the Baroness Ashton of Upholland and colleagues in other Government Departments on developing a delivery plan for childcare.

35. Mr. Kidney

To ask the Minister for Women what plans she has to introduce legislation to enforce equal pay by criminal law sanction. [76455]

Ms Hewitt

I have no plans to enforce equal pay by criminal law sanction. Since the Equal Pay Act was introduced in 1970 the pay gap has reduced from 37 per cent. to 19 per cent. today.

We have amended the law to provide for equal pay questionnaires and every Government Department and Agency is conducting an Equal Pay review by April 2003.

36. Jim Knight

What steps she is taking to reduce the pay gap between the sexes. [76456]

Ms Hewitt

The Government has set in place a number of measures designed to tackle the gender pay gap. We are leading by example, through our commitment to equal pay reviews in the Civil Service'; we are making it easier for women to get equal pay through changes in the Employment Act 2002; we are making it easier for employers to pay fairly through the work of the Fair Play Champions and the Castle Awards, and we are tackling the wider causes of the pay gap by helping mothers stay attached to the labour market, investing more resources than any other Government in childcare, improving the skill levels of those already in the labour market and helping employers make the most of their female workforce.