Government shelves equal pay audits

In 2008 the Lib Dem equality spokesperson Lynne Featherstone talking about the Equalities Bill said "Efforts to tackle entrenched inequality are welcome, but serious questions must be asked about why the private sector is getting off so lightly."

"A voluntary audit system for private industry is hardly worth the paper it's printed on. We need to know when the government actually plans to step in if progress isn't made."


The ConDem coalition has announced that compulsory audits to close the gender pay gap have been abandoned, instead, companies will be asked to disclose their pay figures voluntarily.

These plans were announced today by Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone.

Today, she said: “We want to move away from the arrogant notion that government knows best, to one where government empowers individuals, businesses and communities to make change happen.”
"Different organisations face different challenges in promoting equality so if we are to get this right for everybody a much more flexible approach is needed."

The coalition are undermining fair pay and a fair society.