The costs of eliminating the gender pay gap

SIR – Theresa May unfortunately displays a poor understanding of economics in her comments on the impact of removing the gender pay gap (Comment, April 4).

She indicates that GDP could rise by up to £150 billion if pay were equalised. Unfortunately, nominal GDP might rise, but not real GDP: there would be a rise in wage costs and then in prices. It would be nice to think that we could raise GDP simply by paying ourselves more, but it just isn’t the case. Pamela Wheeler

Shrewsbury, Shropshire

SIR – The foolishness of comparing average gender pay differentials is clear. The gender gap in many institutions could easily be closed by phasing out women at the lower end of the pay scale and introducing more men. Patrick Freke Evans

London W4

SIR – One overlooked aspect of the gender pay gap is that it shows how men still find it hard to achieve the life/work balance many women enjoy by opting to work part-time.

Men are further discouraged from taking time to be with their children by disparities in the availability of paternity leave against maternity leave. Reducing the gender pay gap by helping men to have more time with their children would make them happier and more fulfilled and lead to a more contented society overall. Dave Holtum

Bathampton, Somerset

SIR – I find it strange that the BBC aims to have an equal number of men and women experts (report, April 2).

Why limit numbers? Surely one should have only female experts if they are the best.

Dr J A Lunn

Hedgerley, Buckinghamshire