What has changed since the 2010 Equality Act for women in the workplace?

The Act significantly boosted opportunities by authorising equal pay for the same work and strengthening protections against discrimination in hiring. In 2010, according to ONS data, the average annual wage for all women (combined full time and part time) was £19,711, for men it was £33,186, a difference of £13,475. In 2025, the average wage was £27,850 for women, and for men £38,466. A difference of £10,616. Though the gender pay gap has narrowed by £2,859, women’s wages haven’t risen in line with inflation. According to the Bank of England inflation calculator, the average wage for women (combined full time and part time) should actually be almost £3,000 higher at £30,555.