Written question WQ100896

Addressing the gender pay gap is not only a matter of fairness but also an economic imperative. Enabling women to enter, remain and progress in work helps tackle economic inactivity, makes better use of the skills and talents, and supports our productivity mission by helping to build a stronger economy with more jobs, better jobs and higher wages. We are taking forward a range of measures to support these objectives, not least through our plans to expand the provision of affordable childcare.

We recognise that some women face multiple and intersecting barriers to employment and progression. Through our Disabled People’s Rights Plan and Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, we are taking action to improve employment outcomes for ethnic minority and disabled women, address barriers to progression and strengthen representation and inclusion in the workplace. These actions form part of our wider commitment to reduce labour market inequalities, narrow the gender pay gap and enable more women to enter, remain and progress in work.