The fair pay report: How pay transparency can help tackle inequalities

Article

There is a significant and persistent gender pay gap in the UK. Average hourly pay for women remains nearly one-fifth lower than for men. While the gap has been closing, progress has slowed.

To stimulate further action to narrow the gender pay gap, in 2016 the government introduced a requirement for large employers to publish data on the gender pay gap within their organisation. The deadline for publishing the first wave of data was April 2018.

The regulations – and the data they have generated – have prompted a lively debate on the gender pay gap and the role of transparency in tackling pay inequalities.

This report examines the impact of the gender pay reporting regulations. We assess employer perceptions of the regulations and how they have responded. Based on the findings, we set out proposals for improving gender pay reporting, and we set out recommendations for broader pay transparency to tackle wider pay inequalities.

Related items

  1. A young woman with a long ponytail sits looking out of a bus window

    State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North

    This year’s State of the North report highlights how regional inequality exacerbates the growing challenges facing many young northerners. 
  2. An illustration of an ideal public transport system: a smiling family cross a road near a green bus with houses and trees in the background

    The transport challenge for low-income households

    Many people living on low incomes in the UK are limited in their ability to access the building blocks of a good life because of poor transport provision.

  3. Towards universal opportunity for young people

    Outlining a vision for young people which could increase social mobility while also reducing inequality and disadvantage, so that every young person has the opportunity to build a decent life.