§ Mr. SarwarTo 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 JowellI 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.