Government departments publish their Gender Pay Gap data

Yesterday, Monday 18 December, the majority of government departments published their Gender Pay Gap data. This comes ahead of new rules that will come into force next year compelling many organisations to report their gender pay gaps in order to shine a light on issues.

The overall pay gap is 12.7 per cent, down from 13.6 per cent last year. This is significantly better than in the wider public sector where the gender pay gap is 19.4 per cent and the private sector where the gap is 23.7 per cent.

The Department for Education led the way in reporting its gender pay gap – 5.3 per cent – in June, becoming the first Government department to do so.

We have gone further than ever before in tackling the gender pay gap, and we are committed to tackling this issue where it exists.

Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, said:

Building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the people we serve is one of my top priorities as Head of the Civil Service. Today’s gender pay gap publication is in line with the Government’s new reporting requirements which will help to make workplaces across the UK fairer.

I am pleased that all ministerial departments in scope of the regulations have now reported their figures, over three months before the statutory deadline, and outlined what action they will take to reduce the gap. As set out in the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy launched earlier this year, I am committed to improving the gender balance at all grades and across all departments, agencies, functions and professions.