Gender pay gap closing twice as fast in Scotland, figures show

The gender pay gap in Scotland is closing twice as fast as that for the UK as a whole, according to analysis. 

Women's average earnings will be on par with those of men by 2034 in Scotland, it is claimed. 

The 10.8 year gap compares with 20.9 years for the UK as a whole. 

The numbers come from analysis by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Spice). 

The discrepancy between average earnings for men and women has been lower in Scotland than the UK in general since 2003, with the difference in hourly pay, excluding overtime and for the self-employed, at 8.7 per cent versus 14.3 per cent. 

In 2022, the difference stood at 12.2 per cent for Scotland and 14.9 per cent for the UK. 

Former finance secretary Kate Forbes called the new figures "extremely encouraging". 

However, she said: "It's unbelievable that many employers still fall short of equal pay in 2023, and that women are undervalued and underpaid compared with men in exactly the same roles.  

"I welcome the Scottish Government's action to address the structural inequalities that contribute to sustaining the gender pay gap. 

"There is still work to do before we see a zero gender pay gap in Scotland. I would encourage all employers to ensure their employees are paid fairly and equally, and to look at how they can provide the conditions women workers need to excel."