§ Mrs. LawrenceTo ask the Minister for Women how many fair pay champions have been nominated to spread best practice in the financial services sector. [70616]
§ Ms HewittFair pay champions have been appointed to assist the Government's drive towards achieving equal pay for women through the promotion and sharing of good practice in their sectors. We are currently working with the Equal Opportunities Commission to understand how the pay gap varies from sector to sector, including the financial services sector, and to support sectors in closing the gender pay gap.
No Fair Pay champion has yet been appointed in the Financial Services Sector but we do have a Fair Pay Champion in the Retail Finance sector, a sector currently undergoing major organisational change and one with the highest pay gap at 42 per cent.
§ Mrs. LawrenceTo ask the Minister for Women how many financial sector employers in the(a) public and (b) private sector have carried out pay reviews with a view to ensuring equal pay since 2000. [70615]
§ Ms HewittIn relation to the public sector, the Government has committed all Civil Service departments and agencies to undertake an equal pay review and have in place action plans to close any equal pay gaps, by April 2003. Departments and agencies are at various stages of reviewing their pay systems. In relation to the private sector, we do not have this information and it would involve disproportionate cost to provide it. However the Kingsmill Report included examples of financial sector organisations which have carried out employment and pay reviews or are committed to doing so. The Equal Opportunities Commission is also supporting organisations in conducting Equal Pay reviews and is planning to monitor progress by employers.