The government must introduce tough new equality legislation, the Mayor of London has warned.
Speaking today, 28 February, at the launch of his fourth Women in London’s Economy report, Mayor Ken Livingstone said that it is unacceptable that women in London continue to be paid and valued less than their male counterparts, and failure to implement tough new legislation will have a serious impact on the capital’s future economic growth.
The report’s findings showed that, on average, women in London earn almost a quarter less than their male counterparts, with private sector female employees being the worst affected.
Livingstone added: “London’s economic success depends on employers being able to access the widest range of talent and a strong skills base. This is why we need the Single Equality Act. Self-regulation is not enough. Without this legislation we are in danger of falling behind other countries who have already taken huge steps towards equality in the workplace.
“For a considerable time I have advocated mandatory pay audits as a way to close the gender pay gap, stronger enforcement of pregnancy discrimination legislation and mandatory equality procurement – all of which have already been implemented by the Greater London Authority. The government must live up to its promise and take this new legislation forward.”
The report also revealed the ongoing problem of the ‘glass ceiling’ in London’s economy. Currently there are just two female CEO’s in the capital and only 11 per cent of directors are women.
