Anger as more than half of all big companies fail to reduce their gender pay gaps

More than half of all big businesses have failed to reduce their gender pay gap despite anger over women earning less than men.

At 45 per cent of companies, the gap actually got bigger – mostly because men’s earnings rose faster than women’s.

There was no change in another 7 per cent of companies, according to analysis of figures filed with the Government Equalities Office.

It means only 48 per cent of firms with 250 or more employees have managed to shrink the gap.

Overall, 78 per cent of large firms pay men more than women.

Another 14 per cent favour women, and the rest pay equally, according to the research by the BBC. 

Large firms which have reported big changes in their pay gaps include garage chain Kwik Fit, where the difference is 14 per cent in favour of men – meaning that for every £10 paid to a man, women earn £8.60. 

The gap a year earlier was the other way round and 15.2 per cent in favour of women, according to the BBC. 

Others where the gap got worse include Interserve FS, part of contractor Interserve, and car seller Inchcape.

Firms with the biggest gaps included Independent Vetcare at 48.3 per cent – down from 50.5 per cent last year – and EasyJet at 47.9 per cent, up from 45.5 per cent.