Recent government data has shown how differently women and men are paid at local councils in the county.

In Cumbria, where there are several councils currently, the latest data shows women are paid less than men in most cases.

When looking at data from Carlisle City Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Copeland Borough Council, and Cumbria County Council, the only authorities that pay a bigger median hourly wage to women than men are Carlisle City Council and Copeland Borough Council.

The remainder forms part of a bigger national picture, where across 307 authorities that supplied pay data for the 2021/22 period, the average local authority paid women three per cent less than their male colleagues – a small improvement from 3.3 per cent the year before.

Some councils, however, show that women are paid on average significantly less than men.

Employers with 250 or more workers must publish figures on differences in pay between their employees through the Government's gender pay gap service.

The most recent gender pay gap reports, for 2022/23, are due March 31, 2023, but some authorities have voluntarily submitted theirs early.

Allerdale Borough Council, for example, submitted a report which showed women earn 83p for every £1 that men earn.

At Cumbria County Council, women earn 92p for every £1 that men earn when comparing median hourly pay. 

A spokesperson from Cumbria County Council said: “Our last Gender Pay Gap report (March 2022) showed we employ a higher proportion of females overall (69 per cent) compared to males (31 per cent).

“However, unlike many other councils, Cumbria County Council has a high number of employees in social care roles which are more likely to be in the lower pay quartiles and are roles predominantly held by female staff.

“There is continued work to help drive improvements by investing in employee development programmes and supporting the workforce to grow their skills, abilities, and confidence.

“Family friendly flexible working options and employment benefits are provided such as enhanced annual leave, training, and career progression opportunities and these are being promoted through improved job vacancy advertising.

“It’s encouraging to see the gap has halved in just a year and this shows we’re committed to ensuring our employees are paid fairly.”

Carlisle City Council shows women are paid more than men.

According to their most recent report, 2021/22, women earn £1.12 for every £1 that men earn when comparing median hourly pay.

A Carlisle City Council spokesperson said: “We strive to provide equal opportunities and pay for both men and women.

“Our appointments are based on merit and at the current time women occupy a greater percentage of the highest-paid jobs at Carlisle City Council.

“This is why for 2021/22 women earn £1.12p for every £1 that men earn when comparing median hourly pay.

“It is that it is highly unlikely that any organisation will have women and men earning exactly the same when comparing median hourly pay.

“This is particularly true in organisations where there is a wide range of different job roles such as those found in local councils.

“The important aspect is by analysing and reporting data on a regular basis we can continue to ensure that our approach to resourcing provides equal opportunity for all.”

At Copeland Borough Council, their latest report in 2021/22 showed women are paid £1.27 for every £1 a man earns when comparing median hourly pay.

A spokesperson from Copeland Borough Council: “We believe in fair pay at Copeland Council and have always been able to demonstrate that commitment to women in the workplace.

“In 2021/22, women occupied 63.8 per cent of the highest-paid jobs in Copeland and 82.6 per cent of the upper hourly pay quarter.

“Overall, the median hourly pay was 20.7 per cent higher.”

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