CBI calls for government to address gender pay gap

The next Government should ensure there is a UK target for reducing the gender pay gap, says the CBI.

The UK's leading business group has called for a commitment from the next Government on a national target to bring the issue of the gender pay gap sharply into focus, in the same way the Lord Davies review has shone the spotlight on women on boards.

Reaching the target would then require progress in the areas which have a real impact on equal pay, such as improved careers guidance in schools, an increased understanding of the benefits of flexible working for parents and businesses, and affordable childcare.

Katja Hall, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “Gender should not define what people earn and we need to put equal pay firmly into the spotlight. Currently, too many areas of work – often those with high pay potential – are seen as male-dominated, with women steered away from options that would give them better access to higher pay and seniority.

“This simply has to change. We must focus on tackling the pay gap by providing the right careers advice in schools and boosting support in the workplace for career development. A future Government should ensure an overall target for the reduction of the gender pay gap is set at a national level to raise awareness of this issue.

“And this would mean we can clearly track if more progress is really being made on gender diversity.”

A new CBI paper – Building on Progress – outlines business and Government priorities for boosting gender diversity in the workforce. These include businesses showing greater openness to job-sharing in more senior roles and ensuring recruitment processes maximise the diversity of shortlists.

Building on Progress says the key to making further progress is addressing the causes of the pay gap, rather than ordering actions on a punitive basis.

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