£223k difference in pay over lifetime

Women earn £223,000 less than men over the course of a lifetime, according to new research.

The pay gap emerges as soon as a young woman starts work, with those aged 22 to 29 being paid an average of £1,500 a year less than their male colleagues, rising to £7,600 when they are in their fifties, a study found.

The Young Women’s Trust estimated that the difference amounted to £223k across a woman’s lifetime, often caused by a lack of women in senior jobs, having caring responsibilities, or discrimination.

Chief executive Dr Carole Easton said: “We know that many young women are struggling to make ends meet because they are more likely to be on low pay.

“Discrimination and unequal caring arrangements still prevent them progressing at work and reaching higher salary bands.

“We need to help more women into male-dominated sectors and into senior positions. Helping parents share childcare more equally and supporting women back into the workforce after taking time out through flexible working opportunities would make a big difference, too.

“Where companies find they have a gap, there should be a requirement to put in place a plan to close it. Without action, today’s young women face a lifetime of unequal pay.”

WORKERS on the Government’s National Living Wage have to work an extra month to earn the same as those on the higher, voluntary rate, according to new research.

The statutory minimum goes up on Sunday from £7.50 an hour to £7.83 for over 25-year-olds. This is below the voluntary living wage of £10.20 an hour in London, and £8.75 outside the capital.

The Living Wage Foundation said a full-time worker on the statutory rate receives almost £1,800 a year less than those on the higher, voluntary figure, so it would take 33 days to make up the shortfall. For workers in London the gap is wider, at £4,621, meaning they would need to work 84 more days to earn the living wage, said the report.

Tess Lanning, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: “There will be a welcome pay rise for some of the UK’s poorest workers. However, 5.5 million will still find themselves earning less than a real living wage and struggling.

“For these people, the Government minimum won’t be enough to cover the basics, save for a rainy day, or provide security for their families. That’s why we need to see more companies pay a real living wage based on the cost of living.”

A PUPPY named after The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was forced to Twist and Shout when he got stuck in a TV cabinet.Owner Verity O’Neill, from Birkenhead, Merseyside, woke to the yelps of the miniature Yorkshire terrier and, when she went downstairs, found him with his head stuck in a