Time to walk the walk on pay gap

THE 40-year-old law banning unequal pay must be among the most ignored pieces of legislation ever passed.

Today, women across the UK continue to fight for parity with their male colleagues.

A new report on the deep-rooted problem shows just how big an issue it remains.

Experts say removing the obstacles to women at work would bring in a massive £17.2billion for the Scottish economy.

Childcare has improved immeasurably in the past four decades. Public attitudes are dramatically different. But still women are often made to feel inferior in the workplace and have to shout louder to be heard.

And as we report today, women at all levels of employment frequently work for less than males doing the same job.

Nicola Sturgeon, Ruth Davidson and Kezia Dugdale are living proof that women lead the country. So why is the gender pay gap still such a problem?

An old-fashioned corporate culture in much of the private sector is one hurdle.

And the idea that women’s ambitions tail off with parenthood is too common among many managers.

MSPs who probed the problem say Sturgeon’s Government could make a bigger difference if they wanted to.

They point to procurement rules on firms bidding for public sector work.

They also describe the radical change needed in childcare.

The SNP Government have made a big point of putting equal rights centre stage.

Gender balance, more money for childcare – these are welcome policies.

Scotland has the power to make an even bigger difference.

The SNP have spoken well on this – now they need to step up and respond to these findings with real action.