Business community sought for inquiry on gender pay gap economic effects

STRATHKELVIN and Bearsden’s business community is being asked to get involved with a new inquiry on the gender pay gap in Scotland.

Rona Mackay MSP is backing the Scottish Parliament’s economy, jobs and fair work committee’s investigation that looks to “explore the effect of the gender pay gap on the Scottish economy”.

The SNP MSP is appealing to small and medium business people, academics, interest groups and expert individuals in the constituency to answer various questions on the gender pay gap.

The inquiry, which will also look at the public sector, is to advise the Scottish Government on reducing the gender pay gap.

The deadline for submissions to the inquiry is Friday, March 10 2017 which will be followed by evidence-giving sessions in the Scottish Parliament.

Ms Mackay said: “There are a lot of impressive small and medium enterprises, across the whole of Strathkelvin and Bearsden that I know would have a lot to contribute to this inquiry.

“Around 80 per cent of working people in Scotland are employed by the private sector, so it’s important we explore how the gender pay gap may affect business performance.

“I hope we can find out more on the reasons women are under-represented in many roles and industries across Scotland and explore the wider effect it may have on our economy.”

ENDS

NOTES

1. The inquiry remit says: To explore the effect of the gender pay gap on the Scottish economy, with a particular focus on business performance, the Scottish public sector and Scottish Government action required to address the issue.

2. A full detail of the questions being asked and to whom is available at parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/102751.aspx.