§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Equal Pay Act 1970 in reducing disparities in pay between males and females in the last five years. [123465]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 23 May 2000]: We welcome the continuing narrowing trend in the gender pay gap, not least the full percentage point reduction from 20 per cent. to 19 per cent. in 1999. It is not possible to determine the precise extent to which the reduction in the last five years can be directly attributed to the Equal Pay Act but it is clear that a sensible statutory framework is an essential component. So too are our wider efforts to ensure improvements in education and skill levels and to help women stay in, or return to, the labour market after having children.