Full-time gender pay gap widened, says ONS

The UK's gender pay gap for full-time employees has widened in favour of men during 2019, according to data released on Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The data showed an 8.9% disparity in hourly wages between full-time male and female employees, which was wider than 2018's 8.6% gap and marked a decline of just 0.6% from seven year ago.

Among all employees, the gender pay gap fell from 17.8% in 2018 to 17.3% as women fill more part-time jobs, which have lower hourly median pay.

The difference between part time earnings was narrowed from -4.9% to -3.1%, with this gap is in favour of female workers.

The gap in pay between genders was heavily linked to age group, with the difference for under 40s now nearing zero and the 11.4% gap in the 40-49 age group having been reduced significantly over time.

However, the ONS said that the 15% gap among 50 to 59 year-olds and those over 60 is not declining strongly over time, adding that this was partially because women above 40 are more likely to work in lower-paid occupations than younger women and are less likely to work as managers, directors or senior officials.

ONS senior statistician Roger Smith said: "The gender pay gap has been falling slowly in recent years for full-time employees, but in 2019 it was little changed. However, for employees under 40, the gap is now close to zero; it’s among older workers that the pay gap remains substantial."