(qlmbusinessnews.com . Mon 16th Feb, 2026) London, UK —
TUC Reports Financial Sector Faces Highest Gender Pay Disparity at 27.2%
Efforts to narrow the gender pay gap are projected to fall short until 2056 if advancements persist at the sluggish pace observed, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has highlighted. The current average earnings gap between men and women stands at 12.8%, totaling an annual shortfall of £2,548 for women, the TUC's examination of official salary figures reveals. The financial and insurance sector exhibits the most significant disparity at 27.2%, contrasting starkly with the leisure service domain, where the gap narrows to a mere 1.5%.
The gender pay gap, representing salary disparities between males and females within identical sectors, triggers a mandatory disclosure for UK enterprises staffing over 250 employees to report their pay data.
In response, the government asserts its commitment to “tackling the root causes of the gender pay gap and backing women to thrive in their careers.”
Despite women predominantly occupying roles in sectors like education, and health and social care, pay gaps of 17% and 12.8% respectively underscore persistent inequalities. Such wage gaps equate to women working gratis for 47 days annually, according to the TUC.
“Women have essentially donated their efforts for free up until the middle of February each year, in comparison to their male counterparts,” articulated Paul Nowak, the TUC’s general secretary. “Amidst the ongoing cost of living challenges, it's untenable for women to continue shouldering this financial disparity. It's high time for them to receive a just portion.”
Nowak commends the recent introduction of the Employment Rights Act as a noticeable advancement towards equal pay, but insists the government should further enable shared parental leave to facilitate an equitable distribution of caregiving roles.
The most pronounced wage gaps are reported among employees aged 50-59, attributed to women frequently pausing or dialing back their professional pursuits to focus on caregiving responsibilities, contributing to long-term financial disadvantages.
The national coalition of trade unions champions enhanced flexibility in working arrangements and greater childcare provisions as pivotal steps towards eradicating the pay gap.
While the Employment Rights Act was under review, business advocates, including Matthew Percival, Director of Future of Work and Skills at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), warned that proposed increases in employee benefits and leave entitlements could heighten operational costs and deter hiring.
Employers are poised to be mandated to disclose their strategies for minimising the gender pay gap, as indicated by forthcoming regulations.
A government spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment to gender pay parity, stating: “Through reinforcing flexible work conditions, bolstering protections for expectant and new mothers, and broadening initiatives to evaluate parental leave alongside expanding childcare services, we are confronting the primary contributors to the gender pay gap and empowering women in their professional endeavours.”
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