Ms Alice-Mary Higgins:

As I could have a full session on the gender pay gap, I will not attempt to enumerate all the various factors at work. It is known from ESRI findings that one factor was that many women work in the public service. In addition, it was noted that the income of women in couples fell by 14% during the recession versus a fall of 9% for men. In part, that was identified as a link with the aforementioned public service work, as well as because many women are working in areas that have become highly casualised, such as retail and hospitality. Members have heard about the undervaluing of care as an area of work and the subject of child care also is a huge issue. While it is not within the remit of this Bill, it feeds into this issue.