MPs demand action on gender pay gap for women over 40

MPs are to study the gender pay gap amid calls for more action to be taken to tackle the issue, especially for women over the age of 40.

The Women and Equalities Committee is to examine "myths and facts" between the difference of 19.2% for all employees and 9.4% for full-time workers.

Conservative MP Maria Miller, who chairs the committee, said: "We recognise that the Government is keen to narrow the pay gap, but it is not doing enough, especially for women over 40.

"More robust action is needed. In our first session for this inquiry, we will looking carefully at the evidence base, with the help of some of the country's leading experts.

"We're expecting to see some myths debunked, and start finding out what needs to be done to tackle this problem which continues to affect so many women."

The gender pay gap has changed "relatively little" over the past four years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported recently.

The gender pay gap is greatest for women aged 50-59 at 27%.