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New figures from the Office of National Statistics show that the gender pay gap has narrowed for full time workers in the UK.

Men’s full-time median hourly earnings grew by 0.8 per cent to £13.11, up from £13.00 in 2010, while women’s hourly earnings were £11.91, a 1.9 per cent increase compared with £11.69. The full time gender pay gap has therefore decreased by one percentage point to 9.1 per cent from 10.1 per cent.

Kay Carberry, a Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: 'Forty years after the introduction of the Equal Pay Act, today’s figures are a step in the right direction. But we can’t be complacent – as the gap is still there.

'One way to help narrow it would be by removing the secrecy surrounding equal pay. It will help if employers take up the government’s guidance on measuring and reporting their gender pay gap.'

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 020 3117 0255, out of hours 07767 272 818.

For general enquiries please contact the Commission’s national helpline: England 0845 604 6610, Scotland 0845 604 5510 or Wales 0845 604 8810.

Notes to editors

Find out more about the Equality Act 2010 and equal pay: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equalpay 

The Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act. It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.