Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Black, Asian and minority ethnic women experience wider pay gap, reveals Labour survey

The party called for mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic women experience wider pay gap, reveals Labour survey

Many black, Asian and minority ethnic women have already stopped earning two months before Equal Pay Day on 18 November compared to the average male worker, a new analysis by the Labour party has revealed.

In the wake of the findings, the party has urged the government to take urgent action on racial inequality, including through the introduction of mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting, a statement said.


According to ONS figures, black Caribbean women earn 18 per cent less on average than men, making Wednesday 26 October Equal Pay Day for Black Caribbean women.

The gap is even wider for black African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women, with Equal Pay Day for Black African women falling on 27 September (a 26 per cent pay gap), Bangladeshi women on 19 September (a 28 per cent gap) and Pakistani women falling on 8 September (a 31 per cent gap).

The Fawcett Society marked 18 November as Equal Pay Day in 2021. On that day, average woman stopped earning when compared to the average male worker due to the gender pay gap.

Anneliese Dodds, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary, called on the government to back Labour’s policy of introducing mandatory ethnicity pay reporting for companies with over 250 employees.

She also sought assurances that full datasets will be regularly published. In 2018, the government consulted on introducing ethnicity pay reporting, but has now said it will now not move forward with the policy.

“The pay gap for all women is already bad enough; disturbingly, these figures show it’s even worse for many Black, Asian and minority ethnic women," said Dodds MP.

"It’s no surprise that so many Black women are struggling with the cost of living crisis when many earn a fifth less than men. Coupled with recent TUC research which shows that black, Asian and minority ethnic people are significantly more likely to be working in insecure jobs, it is clear that this Tory government has completely failed to get a grip on racial inequality.

“Labour is the only party committed to eliminating racial inequality through a new Race Equality Act and mandating large companies to publish their ethnicity pay gap. That is how we will deliver a fairer future for everyone, regardless of their background.”

Baroness Doreen Lawrence, chair of the Labour party’s Race Equality Act Taskforce, said: “Two years ago I highlighted the systemic inequality which led to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities being disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. These figures provide further shocking evidence of those inequalities.

“Labour’s Race Equality Act will take the urgent action needed to tackle racial inequality across our society, including introducing mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting and better data collection.”

Early this year, the women and equalities select committee (WEC) asked the government to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting by April 2023 for all organisations that currently report for gender.

The government refused to do so citing 'significant statistical and data issues' as the reason.

More For You

uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe shot at days after opening

Instagram/ginnichatrath

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café targeted in shooting, Khalistani terrorist cites mockery of Nihang Sikhs as motive

Highlights:

  • Shots were fired at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, just days after its opening.
  • Khalistani extremist Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to banned group BKI, claimed responsibility.
  • The motive cited was an old comedy segment from The Kapil Sharma Show that allegedly mocked Nihang Sikhs.
  • No injuries were reported; Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s recently launched Kap’s Café in Surrey, British Columbia, was the target of a shooting in the early hours of 10 July. Though no one was harmed, the property sustained significant damage. A known Khalistani extremist, Harjit Singh Laddi, has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing perceived religious disrespect on The Kapil Sharma Show.

 Kap\u2019s Cafe in Surrey  Kap’s Cafe in Surrey was struck by gunfire late at night with staff still insideInstagram/thekapscafe_

Keep ReadingShow less
Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.

The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri festival in Wembley

A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.

Getty Images

Navratri festival in Wembley faces objections

A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.

Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.

Keep ReadingShow less