A stark new analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has projected that the gender pay gap will take another three decades to close if current trends continue, pushing the target for equal pay to 2056. The report underscores that despite ongoing efforts, significant acceleration is required to bridge this persistent divide.
The Current State of Pay Inequality
The TUC's findings indicate that the gender pay gap currently stands at 12.8 percent, which translates to an average annual shortfall of £2,548 for women compared to their male counterparts. This disparity means women effectively work the equivalent of 47 days each year without pay, only beginning to earn from today relative to the average man's earnings.
Key Drivers Behind the Gap
The union organization attributes this enduring inequality to several structural factors. Primarily, women are often compelled to work part-time to manage extensive caring responsibilities throughout their lives, including childcare and support for elderly relatives. This shift away from full-time employment results in substantial pay reductions, perpetuating financial disadvantage.
Industry-Wide Disparities
The report highlights that the pay gap is pervasive across various sectors, even in fields predominantly staffed by women. In the health and social care sector, the earnings gap mirrors the national average at 12.8 percent, while in education it rises to 17 percent. Women in wholesale and retail face a 10.8 percent pay gap, demonstrating that no industry is immune.
Age-Related Pay Gaps
Middle-aged and older women experience the most severe pay disparities. Those aged 40 to 49 face a gap of 16.2 percent, while women between 50 and 59 endure the highest at 19.7 percent. For those over 60, the divide remains significant at 17.7 percent. The TUC links these figures to lifelong balancing acts between work and caring duties, exacerbated by inadequate childcare options and limited flexible job opportunities.
Calls for Government Action
The TUC has urgently called on the government to "turbo-charge its approach" to close the pay gap. Recommendations include fostering more equitable sharing of caring responsibilities between men and women, improving access to flexible working arrangements, and enhancing childcare support to create a comprehensive solution.
Leadership Perspectives
Trades Union Congress General Secretary Paul Nowak emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Women have effectively been working for free for the first month and a half of the year compared to men. Imagine turning up to work every single day and not getting paid. That’s the reality of the gender pay gap. In 2026 that should be unthinkable."
Nowak added, "With the cost of living still biting hard, women simply can’t afford to keep losing out. They deserve their fair share." He acknowledged the Employment Rights Act as an "important step forward" for banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, which disproportionately affect women's earnings, but warned that without robust plans for real change, women will continue to suffer financial losses.
