Vince Cable must act over the Government’s failure to implement equal pay rules, an Altrincham Labour candidate is demanding.
On December 16, MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of measures for pay transparency that would see big companies (with more than 250 staff) publish their gender pay gap. However the Government has so-far refused to implement it.
The gender pay gap in the UK is still higher than in most other EU countries, with women earning just 81p on average for every pound a man earns.
James Wright, parliamentary Labour candidate for Altrincham and Sale West, said: “Women and their families will be wondering why this Government won’t take action on equal pay.
“Today I’ve written to the Business Secretary [Vince Cable] calling on him to support Equal Pay and get on with implementing pay transparency.
“Pay transparency will encourage action on the pay gap. If this Government refuses to implement it, a Labour Government will.”
The measure is supported by leading employers, including Price Waterhouse Cooper, who are one of just five companies known to voluntarily publish the information.
Pay transparency for large employers was originally included by Labour in the Equality Act but ditched by the Conservatives and Lib Dems on entering Government.
Tories and Lib Dems will next have an opportunity to support pay transparency on February 27 when the Government have another chance to support the proposal.
Image courtesy of Labour Trafford, with thanks.
