Gender gap to be exposed by Equalities Bill

A new Equalities Bill will include measures to realise equal pay for men and women.

Under the proposed new rules, the Government plans to expose pay gaps within public services. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission would also launch investigations into sectors known to have poor records on equal pay.

It is expected that the Bill will also outlaw secrecy or 'gagging' clauses in employment contracts, allowing employees to freely discuss their salaries and bonuses.

Organisations that bid for public sector contracts will have to set out their average salary differences between male and female staff.

Employers would also be encouraged to use 'positive discrimination' based on race and gender, when choosing between applicants that are equally qualified for a position.

However, the discrimination could cut both ways. For instance, a male candidate could be preferred for a predominantly female workforce, such as in a primary school.

The TUC has welcomed the new bill, claiming that the perceived voluntary nature of the current act is not achieving the desired effect.

However, the CBI has criticised the enforced declaration of pay as "meaningless".

Issues of 'positive discrimination' are likely to provoke debate in the business world, with some concerned that the measures could damage staff relations.