HC Deb 09 March 2000 vol 345 c797W
Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what data he has collated on current inequalities in pay between men and women in Scotland; and what measures the Government(a) is taking and (b) plans to take to tackle such inequalities. [111346]

Ms Jowell

I have been asked to reply.

Average pay of full-time employees in Scotland and Great Britain, 1999, is as follows:

Hourly Weekly Annual
Scotland
Women (£) 8.03 298 15,001
Men (£) 9.83 406 21,791
Women's pay as a percentage of men's 82 173 169
Great Britain
Women (£) 8.70 327 16,481
Men (£) 10.75 442 23,412
Women's pay as a percentage of men's 81 174 170
1 Widening of pay gap for weekly and annual earnings reflects that men work on average 3.9 hours more per week than women, including 1.9 hours more overtime

Source:

New Earnings Survey 1999

Other figures on earnings for men and women in Scotland can be found in "Scottish Economic Statistics" which is available in the Library.

We are tackling the gender pay gap across Great Britain through a range of action to ensure women can reach their full potential, including tackling gender stereotyping in career choices; and encouraging them to take up opportunities in the information and communication technology sector. We will also be consulting on changes to Employment Tribunal procedures to speed up and simplify equal pay claims. This builds on action we have already taken to help women combine work and family responsibilities, including the National Childcare Strategy, parental leave and improved maternity leave.

Back to