Gender pay gap is as high as 25% in some parts of Wales, TUC analysis reveals

• The biggest gender pay gaps in the country are in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Rhondda

The gender pay gap is as high as 25% in some parts of Wales, according to new TUC analysis published today (Wednesday).

The analysis – published ahead of International Women’s Day – reveals the local authorities with the highest levels of pay inequality in the country.

The biggest gender pay gaps in Wales are in:

• Torfaen: The pay gap is 25.6%.
• Blaenau Gwent: The pay gap is 23.8%.
• Rhondda: The pay gap is 21.9%.

The TUC estimates that it takes the average woman in Wales a year (366 days) to earn what the average man earns in just over 10 months (313).

However, in some parts of Wales this gap is worse. In Torfaen it takes the average woman in a year to earn what the average man earns in just 9 months.

Wales TUC General Secretary Shavanah Taj said: “The gender pay is eye-wateringly high in some parts of Wales. That’s not right and it needs to change.

“Companies and employers must be required to explain what steps they’ll take to close their gender pay gaps – and bosses who don’t comply with the law should be fined and held accountable.

“Employers need to create a level playing field for women in the workplace. Flexible working should be a day one right for everyone at work.

“Every year unions help thousands of women get the pay they deserve. And workplaces that recognise unions are more likely to have family-friendly policies and fair pay. That’s why every woman should be in a union.”