WOMEN aged 40 and above will not see an end to the gender pay gap until after they reach state pension age, according to research published by the Fawcett Society today.

The Equal Pay Day 2023 report finds that, on average, women take home £574 a month less than men, which equates to £6,888 a year.

This means that, at the current rate of change, equal pay won’t be achieved for another 28 years. 

The study also reported demand for flexible working options among women, with 40 per cent of non-working women saying that having access to flexible work options would enable them to take paid employment. 

Almost a third of unemployed men said the same, but the report found that, overall, men were more likely to have access to desirable forms of flexible work.

This includes greater access to work during school terms outside the education sector (21 per cent) and lieu days (54 per cent). 

In pursuit of flexibility, women were found to be more likely to be in part-time work (27 per cent), compared with men (14 per cent). 

Fawcett Society chief executive Jemima Olchawski said: “A need for flexible working arrangements, whether it be due to caring responsibilities, disability or simply a desire to rebalance work and life, should not mean the end of career progression.

“Right now, accessing flexible work is a matter of negotiation with your employer. Our report clearly shows that this is a process that favours men and bakes in existing inequality.”

Ms Olchawski also called on men to “step up and take on their fair share of caring responsibilities and household tasks.” 

Fawcett Society chairwoman Harriet Harman said: “We need urgent action to ensure women are allowed to work to their full level of skills and experience, making flexibility the norm will make it easier for women to get the flexibility they need.”

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s clear our economy isn’t working for women. At current rates of progress, it will take decades to close the gender pay gap.  

“Fixing flexible working would be a big step forward in raising women’s pay.”