What can employers do to advance gender equality?

The regulation for all firms with over 250 employees to publish annual figures on their salaries and bonuses is one step towards closing disparities that have hindered the UK from achieving gender equality.

However, a recent report by The Financial Times found that only five UK employers have published the details of their gender pay gap on a Government website.

Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that women currently earn 18% less than men – and MPs say that Government apathy is a hindering factor.

Maria Miller, Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and MP for Basingstoke, believes that gender pay gap reporting isn’t enough to close the gap. She says: “Without effectively tackling the key issues of flexible working, sharing unpaid caring responsibilities, and supporting women aged over 40 back into the workforce, the gender pay gap will not be eliminated.”