Lifting the Lid on the Gender Pay Gap

Large companies will be legally required to publish the difference between what they pay men and women, under manifesto plans set out by Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrats would make it a legal requirement for companies employing more than 250 people to publish the average pay of their male and female workers.

This would create pressure from staff and customers to account for and close any pay gap that exists between men and women.

Plans were announced by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg, Minister for Women and Equalities Jo Swinson and Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Currently leading employers are encouraged to publish pay gap information on a voluntary basis, but Liberal Democrats want to go further and are the first major party to commit to enforcing gender pay transparency by law.

In 2013, the average woman earned 19.7% less than the average man and Liberal Democrats want to see equal pay for equal jobs.

Jo Swinson said: "The Liberal Democrats have fought for shared parental leave, extra childcare, a new right to request flexible working, and we are determined to tackle the issue of gender pay.

"If women in the workplace are to have the same opportunities and choices as men, they must be properly rewarded for their talents and skills - it's as simple as that."

Vince Cable added: "We've already seen some of our biggest firms lead the way on publishing pay gap information. They know that their staff will appreciate real openness about the way men and women are paid and real effort to close any gap that exists."

Join the campaign today www.libdems.org.uk/breaking_down_the_gender_pay_gap