The government must "take more seriously" efforts to eliminate the UK's gender pay gap, a Select Committee report has said.
The Women and Work Commission was set up in 2004 to tackle the pay gap which stood at 18% among full-time workers and 40% for those working part-time.
However the MPs said that though the commission put forward proposals, not enough had been done to implement them. Occupational segregation is largely to blame for the pay gap, the report says.
Most women work in a relatively limited number of occupations with lower pay, or in part-time jobs, it points out.
"We need a determined effort on all fronts if we are to crack the worryingly stubborn pay gap and inequality in employment," said Judy Malaber MP, who led the inquiry by the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Select Committee.
"We are calling on all government departments, public bodies and other Select Committees to keep this high on their agendas."
Among the key reasons for the gender pay gap was the lack of quality part-time jobs, the committee said, which calling for more spending to tackle the problem.
"Women are now looking to Gordon Brown to show that he is ready to act boldly, decisively and courageously to deliver fair pay for women."
I think we all know that Mr. Brown will keep that on his not to do list!
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