Pay gap between public sector staff 'has narrowed in last 10 years'

The pay gap between men and women has narrowed in the last ten years, according to a report commissioned by the UK government.

A report by the National Equality Panel revealed that for full-time employees, the pay gap is now 12.2 per cent - down from 12.6 per cent in 2008.

However, the gap varies from sector to sector. For public sector staff, for example, the pay gap between men and women is now 11.6 per cent for full-timers, 18.3 per cent for part-timers and 21 per cent for all employees.

Tatjana Hine, vice president of the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM), said women have steadily worked to narrow this margin.

"The pay gap is still reasonably wide," she said. "Over time though, there have been more women in business and things have progressed."

However, there has been no reversal of the widening of the gap witnessed in the 1980s.

Ms Hine said this may be due in part to women's working habits.

"If there were as many women wishing to work in the City, for instance, the pay gap would be smaller due to higher wages."

Posted by Alistair Timson