Jeremy Hunt vows to 'eliminate' NHS gender pay gap
2 min read
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has vowed to “eliminate” the gender pay gap in the NHS as he launched a major review into the issue.
The Cabinet minister said it was “unacceptable” that workers in the health service continued to face gender inequality.
He has launched a review into the current climate which sees male doctors paid over £10,000 more than their female counterparts.
The NHS employs many more women than men but still has a 23% gender pay gap because men in the workforce are generally in better paid roles.
Mr Hunt today launched the review to be led by top doctor and professor Jane Dacre.
He said: “The NHS holds a unique position in both British and global society as a shining beacon of equality among all, and so it is unacceptable that 70 years from its creation its own staff still face gender inequality.
“Even today, there remains a 15% gap between the pay of our male and female doctors – this has no place in a modern employer or the NHS and I’m determined to eliminate this gap.
“I’m delighted Jane Dacre – one of the most highly respected female medics in the NHS – has agreed to lead this important review and is perfectly placed to examine the barriers that stop our talented female doctors climbing to the top rung in the NHS career ladder.”
ARMED FORCES PAY
Meanwhile, the Times reports that tens of thousands of troops are in line for a bumper pay rise after the independent body which sets their salaries recommended a hike of around 3%.
It means some 137,000 full-time personnel will be in line for an inflation-busting increase.
Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood piled the pressure onto the Treasury by telling the paper troops “deserve a pay rise”.
The armed forces have had their pay frozen or capped at 1% a year since 2010.
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