Widening of gender pay gap ‘unacceptable’ says Scottish Labour deputy leader

Official figures that show the gender pay gap has widened in Scotland is “unacceptable”, the deputy leader of Labour has said.

Recently released data from the annual survey of hours and earnings 2025 from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that the gender pay gap for full-time employees in Scotland widened from 2.0% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025.

This publication contains the latest estimates of gross median weekly earnings, the gender pay gap in Scotland and the UK and those earning less than the Real Living Wage for employees in Scotland.

The gender pay gap for full-time employees in the UK including Scotland has typically been narrowing over time since the series began in 1997.

However, the gender pay gap for Scotland has widened since 2023.

The paper says this is due to men’s hourly earnings (excluding overtime) increasing at a faster rate than women’s hourly earnings when considering full-time employees.

Scottish Labour have said the figures are “unacceptable” and that “things are getting worse”.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This worrying rise in the gender pay gap shows the SNP has taken its eye off the ball.

“It is utterly unacceptable that women are earning less for the same hours, but things are getting worse instead of better.

“We need to redouble our efforts to embed equality across our economy and society and ensure women get a fair deal.”

The report also showed, however, that the gross median weekly earnings for full-time employees in Scotland increased by 4.6% in nominal terms from £739.70 in 2024 to £773.80 in 2025.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “These statistics show that Scotland continues to have a narrower gender pay gap for full-time employees than the UK and Scotland has the highest median gross weekly pay for full-time women in the UK outside of London.

“Supporting and empowering women and girls to reach their full potential is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s economic growth ambitions.

“Despite the fact that employment law is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government has made progress through policy interventions such as ensuring that organisations receiving public funding pay their staff equally and offer flexible working from day one of employment and expanding early learning and childcare.”