In a week of bad news, something good. I was delighted to hear last Tuesday that Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 had, after heavy research, decided that Brentwood was the best place in the country for women to work. This is a really wonderful achievement, one that is underpinned by the fact that we have the smallest gender pay gap anywhere in the UK. And as I’m the MP for Brentwood and Ongar it was particularly pleasing that Epping Forest came in at number two in the same rankings.
The report, by NatCen, showed the media gross hourly wage among women in Brentwood was £19.85 while the median gender pay gap was 1%. Brentwood Borough Council Leader, Cllr Louise McKinlay, made much of this at the Brentwood Business Showcase which I also spoke at last week. As Louise pointed out, Brentwood has always been a much sought after location for its easy commutes, good schools, strong business mentality, and transport links and this news has not only recognized this but put Brentwood at the front of the national agenda for women.
Employers of Brentwood women are obviously at the forefront of tackling gender inequality, recognising that pay is based on ability, experience and achievement. However, there is still significant work to be done to ensure the talents of women and men are recognised equally and fairly in every workplace.
It is now law for all employers with more than 250 staff to publish their gender pay gap figures. This will increase transparency and create the pressure needed for change to ensure that women fulfil their full earnings potential.
Great progress is being made in this area. It’s excellent news that the gender pay gap is now at its lowest level since records began. In fact, for full-time workers under 40, the pay gap is almost zero. It is wonderful thing that young British women studying at school and university can know that the world of work that lies before them is now fairer than it has ever been and is getting fairer. And, of course, that Brentwood and Epping Forest are leading the charge.