Express & Star

Women paid three pence less per pound than men at Wolverhampton Council

Women were paid only three pence less than men at Wolverhampton Council for every pound made last year, figures have revealed.

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Wolverhampton Council

A report to council chiefs over gender pay equality showed the sum of 97p was the best in the Black Country – beating Birmingham.

Figures from 2018 showed Birmingham Council was nearest with 91p, Sandwell Council and Walsall Council both followed with 87p and Dudley Council paid female workers 80p per pound.

Councillor Louise Miles, during a meeting of the council's cabinet, said: "I obviously welcome this report which shows the work the council does over equality issues.

"It shows how well we perform compared to our neighbours.

"Women earn 97p in Wolverhampton Council for each pound, with workers in Sandwell making 87p.

"I welcome this but this is a continued fight for gender equality and we continue to maintain that and we will not be complacent."

The report highlighted, however, there is no women employed in street lighting and highways maintenance – despite females making up around 70 per cent of the council's workforce.

And very few women work in waste and recycling, operations and maintenance of existing networks, maintenance programme and facilities management departments.

But, in contrast, less than 10 per cent of employees in adult assessments, catering, cleaning, corporate landlord support, special educational needs and strengthening families support were men.

Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of the council, said: "It's absolutely staggering when you look how bad it is nationally, and regionally, yet you come to Wolverhampton and you get paid properly.

"It says it in the report and I'm proud of what we've done as a city and as a council.

"The city has certainly got our assurances we will continue to make strides in the sector."