I tabled an Early Day Motion, EDM 1670, in Parliament to highlight the ongoing and unacceptable ethnicity pay gap in the UK. Nationally, employees from Black, African Caribbean or Black British backgrounds earn, on average, 6% less than their white colleagues. In London, that gap widens to a staggering 23.8%. Even worse, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic public sector workers in the capital are paid 37% less than their white counterparts.
These figures are not just statistics — they represent a structural injustice that continues to hold people back based on race. That’s why I’m calling for the Government to implement mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers, and to go further by requiring companies to publish clear, measurable action plans for how they’ll close these gaps.
I fully support Labour’s manifesto commitment to make this a legal requirement, and I want to recognise the vital campaigning work of trade unions, equality organisations and grassroots campaigners who’ve fought tirelessly on this issue.
Voluntary reporting simply isn’t enough. Without transparency and accountability, there will be no meaningful progress. It’s time for the Government to act.
Please find the full text below:
That this House notes with concern that nationally, there is a 6% pay gap between employees from Black, African Caribbean or Black British ethnic groups and their White counterparts; further notes that in London the ethnicity pay gap is the highest in the country at 23.8%; expresses concern that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic public sector workers in London earn, on average, 37% less than their white colleagues; welcomes the Labour Party’s manifesto commitment to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers; acknowledges the important campaigning work of trade unions, equality organisations and others in highlighting racial inequality in the workplace; notes that companies with greater diversity are statistically more likely to outperform competitors; urges the Government to follow through as soon as possible on its recent consultation and deliver legislation that brings accountability, transparency and real progress in tackling racial disparities in pay; believes voluntary reporting is insufficient to drive meaningful change; and calls on the Government to not only implement mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting but also to require employers, where improvements are needed, to produce clear, measurable action plans outlining how they intend to close these gaps.
And the full list of signatories is here: