DfE publishes gender pay gap

The Department for Education (DfE) has become the first government department to publish its gender pay gap and bonus pay gap.

This is to set an example to other employers on promoting gender equality in the workplace.

The department has reported a mean pay gap – the difference between average salaries for men and women - of 5.3 per cent and a median pay gap of 5.9 per cent.

This is compared to the UK’s national gender pay gap of 18.1 per cent which is the lowest since records began in 1997.

The pay gap data will be published by all government departments and large private companies by April 2018 – shining a light on our workplaces to see where there is more to do and helping people make informed decisions about their career.

Secretary of state for education and minister for women and equalities, Justine Greening said: “I’m proud that the Department for Education has taken an important step in reporting its gender pay gap, setting an example to other employers as we build a stronger economy where success is defined by talent, not gender or circumstance.

“The UK’s gender pay gap is at a record low, but we are committed to closing it. As one of the UK’s largest employers, the public sector has a vital role to play in leading the way to tackle the gender pay gap which is why the DfE’s step to publish our gender pay gap matters.”