The Government is so far refusing to bale out the employers, although ministers are worried about the escalating costs that could lead to higher council tax bills next year and further cuts in NHS services. Phil Woolas, the Local Government Minister, is considering legal measures to make agreements binding, though these could fall foul of the Equal Pay Act 1970 and a subsequent EU ruling in 2003.
It's a scandal all around, I agree. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
The Gender Equality Duty recently came into force in the UK, requiring public authorities to put together an equality scheme that outline actions for ensuring gender equality, BUT, the English regulations do not go so far as mandating equal pay audits (thank you very much, Women in Work Commission).
I'm happy to note though that the specific duties of the Act intend to be stronger in Wales, and will include mandatory equal pay audits for all authorities that fall under that section of the Act. It involves the devolution of certain powers to Wales to give us the ability to do that, but I've been told that by the end of this year, Wales ought to have mandatory equal pay audits in their version of the regulations.
And well done btw, on securing such a good response about your child's school meals (although I thought that Jamie Oliver had single handedly secured an increase to the school meals budget UK wide, to provide healthier food?). Ad astra per aspera
The values and desire to do to the best for our country (which of course we don't always get right) really drives people here, far more so than in England. There is also a more tangiable heritage and national identity for Wales and Scotland, that connects people more, I think. Ad astra per aspera
I think that is the main difference. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
