Ms Sonya Lennon:

The idea of a consumer-facing mark on products and services is one we have discussed with our colleagues in Iceland, where it is live and in action. In the context of 74% of the population believing closing the gender pay gap should be a priority, it is important to consider the structures we can put in place to support new behaviours. It could easily be linked to gender pay gap reporting by way of tiered successes of organisations in terms of moving towards gender equality or gender equity and closing the pay gap in the organisation. It is important to state that gender pay gap reporting will not be without its issues. Part of the messaging that we believe is required for organisations is an acceptance that nobody has it completely right at the moment, so everybody will have work to do. How that story is communicated publicly, as well as the action plan towards closing the gender pay gap, are key. It needs to be time bound, monitored and held accountable, and the legislation must have teeth to ensure people are compliant. When we begin to put that power into the hands of consumers, we will have great momentum.

The other piece very much relates to the motivation of organisations to close the gender pay gap. It cannot be compliance. That is not the point of this. Much of that relates to understanding the benefit of more equitable workplaces for everybody.