5. What assessment has the Deputy Minister made of women's wages in Anglesey? OAQ54073

Tackling the causes of the gender pay gap and is a priority in the gender review. Actions to remove barriers include providing childcare support, creating training opportunities, tackling discrimination and supporting women into non-traditional careers.

Thank you for that response. The most recent Chwarae Teg report on the state of the nation demonstrates that Anglesey has the greatest gap between the salaries of men and women. The gap in Anglesey is 25.5 per cent, which is staggeringly high, particularly given that this is to be a priority, as you’ve just said, for the Government. I’ll be chairing a special meeting in Anglesey in September in collaboration with Chwarae Teg, looking at this very issue. But what exactly is the Welsh Government doing in areas where this is clearly an ongoing problem? Doesn’t that figure just demonstrate that this Government has failed in its efforts to date to tackle the issue in areas where the problem is at its gravest?

I thank the Member for the question. Between 2011 and 2018, the gender pay gap in Wales decreased from 9.2 per cent to 7.3 per cent. The UK gender pay gap was 9 per cent in 2018. Clearly, we've got to drive that down and address those areas, like Anglesey, where there is that greatest gap. In fact, I think the recommendations from the Fair Work Commission on tackling the gender pay gap is very relevant, and I hope you'll be able to refer to that in your meeting. It looked at the gender pay gap across all local authorities in Wales, including Anglesey, and it made recommendations about helping to close this gap.

I would say, in terms of opportunities that we're taking, we've got the personal learning account pilot that's part of the employability plan launched in September, with a pilot area in north Wales, including Anglesey, providing occupational courses and improved qualifications linked to key sectors. It will be available to women from the isle of Anglesey and across Wales. But, during 2017-18, 400 women living on the isle of Anglesey started an apprenticeship programme, as opposed to 290 men. More women are coming forward and also taking advantage of the parents, childcare and employment adviser in terms of access to childcare and support. Over 1,500 parents have started work since the programme started in July 2015, and that includes 124 parents from Anglesey. So, I hope that I will be able to advise you and also work with you to ensure that our road map for gender equality does address and support those areas where there are particular unacceptable gaps in relation to the gender pay gap, but also looks at how we can support women in terms of their achievements.

I will just finally say that I think Chwarae Teg obviously will be talking about their Agile Nation project, and that's been supported over the years, helping women and employers to gain qualifications and to progress in the labour market in employment and tackle occupational segregation.