How to close the gender pay gap

Nearly half a century after Ford Dagenham women sewing machinists struck for equal pay, a new survey shows women are still being penalised in the workplace – for having children.

Equal pay for equal work is enshrined in law thanks to the bravery of those strikers, yet a cavernous gender pay gap remains. But now it is the demands of childcare — rather than sexist bosses — that is the enemy of equality.

A TUC report has shown that fathers earn 21 percent more than other men. Mothers over the age of 33 typically earn 15 per cent less than women without children.

Men usually work longer and harder when they have children. Women, who have children, even full-timers, often do the opposite at work. They become clock-watchers and part-timers, turning down promotions and skipping travel.

Of course, many mothers put their jobs on the back burner by choice. But there are many who would like what men have always had the chance of: a fulfilling career and children.