A fairer Scotland for women: gender pay gap action plan

Objective

To continue to reduce the gender pay gap for employees in Scotland by the end of this parliamentary term (May 2021) and to tackle the labour market inequalities faced by women, particularly disabled women, older women, minority ethnic women, women from poorer socio economic backgrounds and women with caring responsibilities. To maintain, our position relative to the UK as a whole and improve our position relative to our international neighbours.

In line with our Fair Work Action Plan^[1], we want workers in Scotland to have a world-leading working life where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and for society by 2025.

Purpose

To help create a fairer and more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through sustainable and inclusive economic growth (National Performance Framework).

Driving Change

• Promoting gender equality within early learning, schools, colleges, universities, employability programmes, the labour market, businesses, and social security.
• Driving both more immediate and long-term change including addressing gender stereotyping, sexual harassment, and other labour market and care inequalities.
• Encouraging and supporting employers to tackle the causes of the gender pay gap within their own organisations.
• Developing data on gender equality through the Gender Index and improving the intersectional data available to inform policy across national and local government.

National Outcomes

The Gender Pay Gap Action Plan will help to deliver the national outcomes set out in the National performance Framework. The outcomes:

• We have thriving and innovative businesses with quality jobs and fair work for everyone 
• We are well educated, skilled and able to contribute to society 
• We respect, protect and fulfil human rights and live free from discrimination 
• We tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally
• We grow up loved, safe and respected so that we realise our full potential 
• We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable economy 

These outcomes:

• reflect the values and aspirations of the people of Scotland;
• help to track progress in reducing inequality; and
• are aligned with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Overarching Strategies

Aligned Plans/Programmes 

Tackling the causes of the gender pay gap requires cross-government action, which is why this Action Plan is closely aligned to a number of other plans that are highlighted in Annex A.

Infographic

Infographic Text:
1 No Poverty
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequalities