Council reveals gender pay gap figures

Kersten England

Bradford Council has published figures showing the difference between average earnings of males and females working across the authority.

With a mean gender pay gap of 8.2% for 2017, the authority compares favourably with the national average of 18%, the council said.

The gender pay gap reflects the overall difference between how much women and men are paid, but does not take into account the type of work people do.

The figures also highlight differences in the gender split across four pay bands, or quartiles, from the highest to the lowest pay. Amongst the highest paid earners at Bradford Council, 58% of employees are women, whereas in the lowest paid quartile, 76% are women.

The council employs more women than men overall, with 65% of the workforce being female and 35% male.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council leader, said: “The gender pay gap figures published this week show that Bradford Council is in a better position than most in relation to the national average, but we cannot be complacent.

“Equality is one of our core principles and with a female chief executive, and 50% of our strategic directors being female, we have much to be proud of. In a month where we have seen International Women’s Day, and celebrations for the centenary of women’s suffrage, we need to continue to ensure women at all levels across the authority have equal opportunities to achieve their potential and access higher-earning roles.”

Kersten England, Bradford Council’s chief executive, said: “Securing equality and ensuring appropriate representation within our workforce is at the top of our agenda. It is reassuring that our gender pay gap is going in the right direction compared with national figures.

“Gender pay gap is a national issue which affects all business and organisations – not just councils. Within the Bradford District we have local challenges, such as low employment rates amongst black and minority ethnic women, along with unique opportunities: being the youngest city in the UK and having a powerful culture of entrepreneurship.

“We have been working with our partners to help encourage women and girls into aspirational career choices, including with the ‘Inspiring Bradford’ sessions in schools last year, which focused on women in science and apprenticeships amongst other things. With our recently launched economic strategy we will do further work with businesses, the University of Bradford, colleges and training agencies to support more women into work and enterprise, and ensure people, regardless of gender, have the right skills to get the job they want.”

The figures have been published in response to new national legislation which requires employers with more than 250 employees to publish gender pay gap information each year. The aim of this is to increase awareness and improve pay equality across the country.

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