• The Government is examining research that found women earn significantly
less than men.
The research, Women’s Incomes Over the Lifetime, was carried out by Dr
Katherine Rake a lecturer in social policy at the London School of Economics
for the Government’s Women’s Unit.
Dr Rake found a woman leaving school with no qualifications forgoes nearly
£200,000 over a lifetime by virtue of being female. For a woman with GCSEs, the
figure is nearly £250,000 while for a woman with a degree and professional
career it is £143,000.
The so-called female forfeit is reduced in the case of professional women,
but they still earn significantly less than their male counterparts.
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Minister for Women Margaret Jay has pledged to consider measures to reduce
the gap in earnings.
