We see absolutely no connection between the reporting requirement and the pressures of the pandemic. We do see a connection between dropping the reporting requirement and reductions in worker parity.

The number of UK organisations reporting on their gender pay gap has halved during the past year, adding to concerns that the coronavirus pandemic could set back equality in the workplace. The average pay gap increased from 11.9 per cent to 12.9 per cent in the year to April, according to Financial Times analysis of government figures — but only half of the 10,000 eligible UK employers submitted data to the government in the period. The findings come amid concerns that the crisis is already having a disproportionate impact on jobs held by women, as campaigners warn that women are taking on a greater share of child care and schooling duties during the lockdown. The UK government removed the requirement for companies to report their pay gaps this year at the onset of the coronavirus crisis in March in an attempt to help companies that were struggling to cope.

Reporting of UK companies’ gender pay gaps tumbles in pandemic | Financial Times