Girls must study science to bridge gender pay gap

The employers’ association the CBI has said that girls must be encouraged to study science and maths if the gender pay gap is to be bridged.

In its submission to the Women and Work Commission the CBI said that maths and science skills would enable women to enter traditionally higher paid sectors. This, combined with better help for working mothers, would tackle the problem far more effectively than compulsory pay audits, it claims.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director general, said: “The causes of the pay gap are much more complex than just unfair discrimination.”

He added: “Equal pay audits have a role to play but they are not a magic bullet and could well divert attention away from more effective ways of closing the pay gap for ever.”