27 February 2006
Ending "gender segregation" in the workplace could benefit the economy by as much as £23 billion, a new report has found.
The Women and Work Commission revealed some of its 40 recommendations at a launch event at Number 10.
Tony Blair set up the Commission in 2004 to examine womens’ work experiences, the pay gap and the barriers affecting career progression.
The report says increasing employment and ending gender segregation in job areas where women are concentrated - the "five c’s" of caring, cashier, clerical, cleaning and catering - would benefit the economy by £23 billion, worth two per cent of GDP.
During a round-table meeting today in Downing Street which included industry leaders as well as Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and Chancellor Gordon Brown, Tony Blair said much had already been done to end discrimination. But he added:
"This is as much of an issue to do with culture and to do with the reality of how the workplace works for women than it is with deliberate acts of discrimination.
"What we need is a whole range of different policies that are designed both to change the practise and the culture of the workplace."
The main recommendations of the report, which will be examined by the government, are:
- £20 million to help women improve their skills
- Initiative to promote quality part-time work
- Community centres and schools to help women find jobs
- Development of "equality reps" network
Commission chair Margaret Prosser said:
"Many women are working day-in, day-out far below their abilities and this waste of talent is an outrage at a time when the UK is facing increasing competition in the global market place and an outrage for those women personally."
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