Men still earn more than women, according to data gathered by the BBC.

Despite a continued push for equality, the wage difference is still 9.4%, the same level as in 2017/18 when companies were first required to publish figures.

The data is based on the difference in pay between the middle-ranking woman and the middle-ranking man, the so-called “median” pay gap.

This is different from unequal pay – paying women less for the same work – which is illegal.

By law, companies, charities, and public sector departments of 250 employees or more must publish their gender pay gap figures on the Gender Pay Gap Service website.

It is part of a government initiative to force businesses to be more transparent about pay. By Wednesday morning, 10,217 employers had reported.

Jemima Olchawski, chief executive at the Fawcett Society, said all employers needed to create an action plan which set out how they will improve gender equality in their workplace.

“Reporting is a good way of identifying pay inequalities, but taking action is key,” she said.

Read More