Sun, 15 Feb 2026

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 Gender pay gap won't close for another 30 years, warns trade unions group

The average woman employee "effectively works for 47 days of the year for free," according to the Trades Union Congress.

* The Trades Union Congress (TUC) analysis suggests that the current rate of progress means it will take until 2056 to close the gender pay gap.
* The average woman employee effectively works for free for 47 days of the year due to the pay disparity between men and women, which is currently 12.8% or £2,548 per year.
* The gender pay gap is widest in the finance and insurance industry (27.2%) and narrowest in the leisure service sector (1.5%).
* Even in industries where women make up a majority of the workforce, such as education and health and social care, the gender pay gaps are 17% and 12.8%, respectively.
* The TUC is calling for improved access to flexible working and childcare to help close the gap.
* The government says it is tackling the root causes of the gender pay gap and backing women to succeed at work, but the Trades Union Congress (TUC) believes more needs to be done.
* The Employment Rights Act has been hailed as an important step forward for pay parity, but the TUC wants increased access to paid parental leave.
* Business groups argue that increased benefits and leave provisions will increase their costs and reduce their willingness to hire staff.
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