Stats reveal level of gender pay gap across the West Country
It's been found that the Bath and North East Somerset region has the largest average gender pay gap in the South West
Last updated 21st Jul 2024
New research has found Bath and North East Somerset region has the 'largest average pay gap' in the south west.
Stats by ethical fashion company Beira looked into data from the Office for National Statistics' 'Gender pay gap in the UK: 2023' report - which revealed the BANES area sits at 24.8 per cent.
That's higher than the national average by more than 10 percentage points, which currently lies at 14.3%.
Dr Antoinette Fionda-Douglas, Co-Founder of Beira, which turns unused luxury fabrics into womenswear to reduce textile waste, said: “It’s still shocking to see gender inequality in 2023.
"Female businesses and female roles are not valued enough by the broader society, which not only impedes the progress of individual women but also hinders collective advancement.
"It's disheartening to see the persistent undervaluation of the contributions that women make in various sectors, and this is something we’re trying to change here at Beira.”
Offering advice for addressing the gender pay gap, she said: “Negotiate Salary Confidently: Women often hesitate to negotiate their salaries, contributing to the gender pay gap. Confidently negotiating helps bridge the gap by ensuring women are paid based on their skills and experience.”
“Promote Workplace Transparency: When employees have access to information about salary ranges and pay structures, it reduces the likelihood of gender-based pay disparities and fosters a culture of fairness.”
“Mentorship and Networking: Mentorship provides valuable guidance for career advancement, while networking opens doors to opportunities and helps break down gender-related barriers, ultimately contributing to closing the gender pay gap.”
Here in the West Country, the gender pay gap lies at:
- 8.4% for the City of Bristol
- 24.8% for Bath and North East Somerset
- 19.5% for North Somerset
- 16.9% for Somerset
A Government spokesperson said: "The gender pay gap has been trending downwards since 1997, and the Government is committed to ensuring women have equal access to employment, enterprise and investment opportunities.
"We are starting a childcare revolution with an increase to 30 hours free childcare from 9 months to school age; millions of employees are now able to request flexible working from day one; and our STEM returners programme is getting carers back into the workplace."