Close the Gap welcomes Holyrood report which finds clear economic gains to closing the pay gap, worth up to £17bn* to Scotland's economy

Close the Gap welcomes the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee report which reinforces the economic imperative of tackling the gender pay gap, and calls for a national strategy.

Anna Ritchie Allan, Executive Director, said:

“The pay gap is an indicator of women’s persistent labour market inequality, and history has shown us that tinkering around the edges of a systemic problem doesn’t create change. This is why we enthusiastically welcome the call for a national strategy, the key ask from Close the Gap.

“The pay gap is a structural problem which requires a cohesive, strategic response to address its many inter-related causes. It’s time to translate the rhetoric around the pay gap into substantive action, and create meaningful change for women.

“We also welcome the Committee’s findings on the undervaluation of women’s skills, a critical economy-wide problem, and the recommendation that care be a priority sector. Care work is grossly undervalued and low-paid because it’s seen as ‘women’s work’. Scotland needs economic development policy that recognises care as essential infrastructure that enables the economy to function.

“The Committee recognises that the solutions to the pay gap are varied and complex, and requires action from a broad range of stakeholders. Now is the time for Scottish Government to show leadership, and demonstrate its commitment to realising equality for women at work.”

*In 2016, Close the Gap published a research report on the economic case for women's labour market equality, which found that equalising men's and women's employment could add up to £17bn to Scotland's economy. Read the Gender Equality Pays report here.