Policy Hub
On 21 October 2008, the Institute of Economic Affairs published a report (Should we mind the gap? Gender pay differentials and public policy) which argues that discrimination is not a significant cause of differences in pay between men and women.
The report questions the benefits of equal pay and anti-discrimination legislation and suggests that both may well be counterproductive. Similarly, it contends that the pay gap is falling, likely to fall further and may go into reverse.
The report insists that the interpretation and dynamics of the pay gap are poorly understood by policy-makers. Gaps in pay that do exist are principally explained by differences in working conditions and the values, preferences and choices of individual men and women which remain beyond the reach of government.
Should we mind the gap? Gender pay differentials and public policy