THE gender pay gap between men and women is lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK, new data has shown.
According to figures from the ONS, the gender pay gap for all employees in 2022 was 12.2%, lower than the rest of the UK at 14.9%.
The gap for full-time employees was also lower at 3.7% in Scotland, compared to 8.3% in the UK.
Statistics show that the gender pay gap has been lower in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK since 2003.
Commenting, SNP MSP Gillian Martin said it was “extremely encouraging” in seeing that “Scotland continues to outperform the UK in making sure women are paid the same as men for doing the exact same job”.
She added: “Women should not be economically less well-off throughout their working lives, and there are structural issues that need to be addressed - not least the burden of caring still falling to women.
"This is the biggest driver of the gender pay gap, and one the Scottish Government is actively addressing, particularly in its early years provision.
“There is still a lot of work to do before we see a zero gender pay gap in Scotland. I would encourage all employers to ensure their employees are paid fairly and equally, and to look at how they can provide the conditions women workers need to progress.”
A Scottish Greens spokesperson said: “A lot of progress has been made on equal pay, but these figures clearly show that a lot more action is needed if we’re to build the fairer, more equal Scotland we aspire to be.
“Tackling the gender pay gap is one of the core Fair Work principles outlined for action in the Scottish Greens’ cooperation agreement with the Scottish Government. It’s appalling that despite decades-old legislation equal pay remains an unfinished business."
