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Pay, incentives, gender, and the case of the RBS Chief Executive
The subject of Stephen Hester’s bonus has been exercising commentators on politics, business, and labour relations. It has variously been framed as an issue of Stephen Hester’s honour, as a skirmish in the global war for talent, and of the awkward symbolism of one man receiving so much from the publically-owned pay pot while public sector pay freezes bite for other workers.
Close the Gap Newsround (8)
This weeks newsround includes articles from the Herald Scotland, The Guardian and others. Topics include occupational segregation, gender stereotyping and poverty.
Research reveals the majority of women can't afford to save for retirement
Research has revealed that the number of women saving enough for their retirement has reached a seven year high. The Scottish Widows Women and Pensions Report 2011 has found that 50% of women are now saving adequately for their retirement, up from 43% in 2010. It’s not all good news though as the research also shows that more women are saving nothing at all towards their retirement, 23% compared with 17% of men. Furthermore, 71% of women say they can't afford to save long term compared to 60% of men.
Government U-turn on women’s pension age but millions still to lose out
The UK coalition government has announced that it is to delay the planned increase in state pension age to 66 until October 2020.
High cost of childcare forces women back in the home
The latest government statistics have revealed that an increasing number of women are being forced to give up their jobs because of the high cost of childcare. The number of women who have given up paid employment to stay at home and look after their children has risen by 32,000 in the past year. The average cost of full-time childcare is £385 a month but this rises to £729 for children under the age of two.
Government pushes ahead with plans to raise state pension age for women
The UK coalition government has won a vote in the House of Commons to take forward plans to raise the state pension age for women. 500,000 women will now have to wait 18 months to two years longer than they expected before they can collect their state pension, costing them up to £15,000 each.
Close the Gap newsround (7)
Missed our tweets or Facebook updates? Catch up with the latest events, news, consultations and research.
Clarification from Equalities Minister on the aims of the Red Tape Challenge
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities has recently released a statement to reassure stakeholders that the inclusion of the Equality Act 2010 on the Red Tape Challenge website does not mean that the Government wishes to abolish it.
Protect equalities and take the Red Tape Challenge
As discussed in a prior blog post, the aim of the Red Tape Challenge website is to seek your views on the ways in which to, primarily, rid business of the burden of regulations and the bureaucracy associated with them.
Beat the Red Tape Challenge
The UK Government are asking businesses, organisations and the public to take part in the Red Tape Challenge.
Record four female directors at Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival is underway and this year there are four female directors in the running for the Palme d'Or . Last year there were none.
Close the Gap weekly (6)
This week there are a couple of events to highlight for May, including a conference about the challenges of promoting equality during hard economic times and details of the WiSE Conference.
Skills shortages in Scotland's energy sector.
Scottish Power have warned of skills shortages facing Scotland's energy sector. They have estimated that 80% of its engineers are due to retire in the next 20 years.
New paternity regulations have come into force
The Additional Paternity Leave Regulations 2010 came into force on 3 April 2011 and mean that fathers* are now entitled to up to six months’ paternity leave on top of the two weeks to which they are currently entitled.
Close the Gap weekly (5)
This week we have events from the UKRC and a link to the UK Government's consultation on 'Strengthening Women's Voices in Government.'
European Court of Justice ruling on gender and pension costs
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that insurance companies will no longer be able to use sex as a factor to determine premiums.
Lord Davies Review: Women on Boards
Emma Ritch from Close the Gap has provided some comments on Lord Davies Review on Women on Boards published today, 24 February 2011. The comments are summarised below.
Close the Gap weekly (4)
This week we have events listed from Engender, WINNET8 and the UKRC and some news items on the 'glass ceiling.'
Close the Gap weekly (3)
This week there is news on skills shortages, guidance from the EHRC and details of an event organised by WINNET8, a partnership project linking Scotland with Europe in tackling occupational segregation.
Close the Gap weekly (2)
This week we have the Scottish Women's Budget Group reponse to the Draft Budget, more on Andy Gray the Sky presenter and news from Women in Technology.
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