Shining a light on pay equality

MP Debbie Abrahams joined the rest of her party in voting to make law the transparency of equal pay.

In a measure put forward by Labour, the Oldham East and Saddleworth MP voted in Parliament to introduce pay transparency across large companies, which would require companies employing over 250 staff to publish their own gender pay gap in their annual report.

Mrs Abrahams was joined in Parliament by four of the original Dagenham women who went on strike for equal pay leading to the Equal Pay Act of 1970, as well as stars of the hit musical “Made in Dagenham”, Gemma Arterton and Isla Blair.

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion steered the Equal Pay (Transparency) Bill through Parliament last week.

The Bill passed its first vote in the Commons by 258 votes to eight.

The Lib-Dem Minister for Women and Equalities, Jo Swinson, abstained from voting.

As the Bill was put forward on a Ten-Minute Rule motion it means it is unlikely to become law without Government backing due to a lack of parliamentary time.

Following the vote, Mrs Abrahams said: “Women and their families across Oldham East and Saddleworth will be wondering why the Tories and Lib-Dems failed to back transparency over equal pay for millions of women across Britain.

“I’m not overly surprised that the male Tories voted against the motion but it’s shocking to think that the Lib-Dem Minister for Women and Equalities failed to vote despite being present for the motion.

“This is exactly why I set up the Oldham Fairness Commission which looked at the issues around fair employment practices earlier this year. I will be publishing the Commission’s findings in the first quarter of 2015.”

Women still earn an average 81p for every pound earned by men, despite the Equal Pay Act being passed 44 years ago.

Labour released new analysis of official figures which show that the pay gap means women, on average, earn £209,976 less over their lifetime than men.

Mrs Abrahams added: “Women shouldn’t have to wait another generation for equal pay.

“Pay transparency will shine a light on the problem and help employers to close the pay gap once and for all.

“This government might not be prepared to act but a Labour government will.”