Women

• There is a significant difference in income based on gender within the UK. Women on average have always earned less than men and this is no different in 2024.
• Women experience inequality. In general, girls and young women are better educated than boys and young men. However, on average, women earn less than men.
• Why do women earn less than men?

  Women dominate lower paid employment. The financial penalty for having a family falls more heavily on women. Discrimination exists heavily within workplaces for women, it can be direct or indirect and both are illegal.
• The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against a person on the grounds of gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity.
• Women are often associated with the 5 Cs which generally are lower paying jobs. The 5 Cs are: cleaning, catering, clerical, cashiering and childcare.
• As women are still more likely to be primary care givers, for both children and the elderly, they are also more likely to be in part-time work. They are also more likely to be reliant on the welfare state to support them financially.
• Part time workers tend to receive fewer benefits such as sick pay, holiday pay and pensions. Part time workers may not get any of these at all if their employer does not offer them.
• In August 2021, 87% (6.17 million) of families in receipt of Child Benefit payments had a female as the registered claimant and 13% (0.92 million) had a male registered as the claimant.