Scotland continues to lead the way in equal pay.

Scotland is expected to close the gender pay gap at twice the rate of the rest of the UK, as figures reveal that the gender pay gap between men and women is lower in Scotland is almost half that of the rest of the UK.

According to figures from the SPICe, between April 2022 and April 2023, the gender pay gap for median gross hourly earnings (excluding overtime and the self-employed) was 8.7% in Scotland and 14.3% across the UK.

SPICe also calculated, using the three-year rolling average over the last five years, that it will take 10.8 years to close Scotland’s gender pay gap. In the UK, this is expected to take 20.9 years, with the gap widening in the last year.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West, Natalie Don, said:

“It is extremely encouraging to see that Scotland is leading the way in equal pay in the UK.

“In this day and age, it is beyond disappointing that many employers still fall short of equal pay, and that women are undervalued and underpaid compared with men in exactly the same roles.

“I welcome the Scottish Government’s action to address the structural inequalities that contribute to sustaining the gender pay gap, such as expanding free early years provision and its Women Returners’ scheme.

“There is still much work to be done before we see a true zero gender pay gap in Scotland. I would encourage all employers in Renfrewshire, and across Scotland, to ensure their employees are paid fairly and equally, and to look at how they can provide the conditions women workers need to excel.”