Equal Pay

Women and Equality – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 3 December 2009.

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Photo of Ed Vaizey Ed Vaizey Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport) 10:30, 3 December 2009

What progress the Equality and Human Rights Commission has made on developing a set of metrics for reporting on equal pay.

Photo of Vera Baird Vera Baird Solicitor General, Attorney General's Office

Given that women are, on average, still paid 22 per cent. less than men 40 years after the Equal Pay Act 1970, we need greater transparency about pay structures to find out what is happening in organisations so that we can tackle this unacceptable inequality. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is working with business, the unions and others to give comparable, clear figures so that they can be published business to business in places with more than 250 employees. The consultation that it held closed on 28 October and we expect its recommendations soon.

Photo of Ed Vaizey Ed Vaizey Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)

My understanding was that the Equality and Human Rights Commission would publish its findings on metrics in July and that the measure would come out at Christmas. Will the Minister enlighten us about when it is due?

Photo of Vera Baird Vera Baird Solicitor General, Attorney General's Office

I saw the commission chairman at an event about positive action on Tuesday; he reassured me that the commission is on the cusp of being ready to publish. I expect the findings to come out in January-about then.