Great news for workers in the UK! The gender pay gap is shrinking, and the number of low-paid workers has dropped to a record low. Official stats reveal that the gap among full-time employees fell to 6.9% in April 2025, down from 7.1% last year. While men still earn more than women in full-time roles, it’s encouraging to see the gap narrowing.
Median earnings for full-timers are now £20.27 for men and £18.87 for women. The largest gap is in skilled trades at 13.9%, with the smallest in sales roles at just 1.8%.
The share of workers in low-paid jobs also fell to 2.5% in April 2025, the lowest since these records began. Most of these jobs are held by young workers aged 16 to 21 in junior positions and hospitality.
Overall, average earnings across the UK have risen, but inflation has slowed down real terms growth. Median weekly pay for full-time employees increased by 5.3% to £766.60, while gross annual earnings climbed to £39,039.
There’s still work to be done for pay equality, with experts pointing out the need for sustainable pay growth and further closing of the gender pay gap. Trade unions emphasise the urgency, noting that, at the current pace, it could take over three decades for women to achieve pay parity with men.
Let’s celebrate the progress but keep momentum for a fairer workforce! 🌟💼 #EqualPay #FairWages #UKNews