What has changed since the 2010 Equality Act for women in the workplace?
The Gender Pay Gap: Progress Made, But More Work to Do
Since the passing of the Equal Pay Act, opportunities for women in the workforce have significantly improved. The Act authorises equal pay for the same work and strengthens protections against discrimination in hiring.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in 2010, the average annual wage for all women (combined full time and part time) was £19,711, compared to £33,186 for men. This marked a difference of £13,475. Fast forward to 2025, and the average wage for women has increased to £27,850, while men’s average wage stands at £38,466. The gender pay gap has narrowed by £2,859, but there is still work to be done.
Despite the progress made, women’s wages have not risen in line with inflation. According to the Bank of England inflation calculator, the average wage for women (combined full time and part time) should be closer to £30,555. This highlights the ongoing issue of pay disparity between genders.
It is clear that while strides have been made in closing the gender pay gap, there is still a long way to go in achieving true pay equality. Employers must continue to work towards fair and equal pay for all employees, regardless of gender.
