GENDER AND PAY

That this House expresses concern at the ongoing pay gap between men and women, which is estimated at an average of 17 per cent. for full-time workers and 36 per cent. for part-time workers; recognises that the gap is the equivalent of men being paid for the entire year and women working for free from the 30th October; believes that the pay gap undervalues women's work, puts pressure on male partners to work longer hours, and can lead to children living in poverty; is further concerned that at the current rate of change it will be 140 years before equality of pay is reached; and calls on the Government to give serious consideration to bringing forward amends to equal pay legislation and removing barriers to legal action against unfair pay.