Commission comments on Law Society of Scotland report on the gender pay gap

31 Jul 2015 01:00 PM

Commenting in response to a report by the Law Society of Scotland that found female solicitors are paid up to 42 per cent less than their male counterparts. Chris Oswald, Head of Policy for the Commission in Scotland, said:

This is a disappointing result as the pay gap has been reducing in Scotland over time, although mainly because men’s pay fell in recent years rather than women’s pay rising. One reason for this may be because women are more likely to work in the public sector than men and have been more affected by public sector pay freezes.

However pay inequality affects everyone as it impacts on household budgets.

Westminster is currently consulting on new means of reducing the pay gap through greater private sector transparency - these latest figures emphasise the need for action in this area. It is an area we are already looking at going forward.