William Eichler 05 April 2018

Political parties must report ‘gender gap’, campaigners say

Campaigners are calling on the Government to enact legislation which will force political parties to report their 'gender gap' when it comes to election candidates.

With the passing of the deadline for large companies to reveal their gender pay gap, the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) has called on politicians to 'look closer to home’ at gender inequality in politics.

Currently only 33% of local councillors and 32% of MPs in the UK are women.

ERS urged Whitehall to enact Section 106 of the Equality Act which would require parties to publish the demographic makeup of their election candidates.

The campaign group argues this is the first step towards tackling the gender gap in politics and to improving diversity.

‘Now that companies have revealed their gender pay gaps, it’s time UK parties tackled the inequality in their own backyards,’ said Jess Garland, director of policy and research at the Electoral Reform Society.

‘We’ve seen businesses play their part — now Government and political parties must play theirs in showing their diversity figures.

‘Much like the gender pay gap, political inequality is holding back progress in this country.

‘The Women and Equalities Committee has already called for Section 106 of the Equality Act (2010) to be enacted to tackle this problem.

‘The Government's refusal to act on this legislation runs against their commitment to open government.’

For more on the gender gap read our feature, 'The gender pay gap: local government's national perspective.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner