Gil: Clydebank and Milngavie's business community's voice needed on gender pay gap in Scotland

CLYDEBANK’S business community us being asked to get involved with a new inquiry on the gender pay gap in Scotland.
Gil Paterson MSP is backing the Scottish Parliament economy, jobs and fair work committee’s investigation that looks to “explore the effect of the gender pay gap on the Scottish economy”.
The Clydebank and Milngavie MSP, a committee member, 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 launched on December 15 and will also look at the public sector, is to advise the Scottish Government on reducing the gender pay gap and will be published before the summer recess in July.
The deadline for submissions to the inquiry is Friday, March 10 2017 which will be followed by evidence-giving sessions in the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Paterson said: “I am appealing to business-minded people and interest groups in Clydebank to engage with the inquiry on the gender pay gap.
“The gender pay gap is a complex issue with many factors – so it is important we work out how best to define and measure it. Equality is a cornerstone of this SNP government.
“I am very keen to see what the inquiry unveils about the relationship between Scotland’s economic clout and women being paid less on average.
“The inquiry will guide the government into the future on reducing the gender pay gap but also highlight and discuss what action is being taken at the moment.”
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 is available at www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/102751.aspx.