The effect of the gender pay gap on women of different generations has been laid bare in a new report that finds those in their 50s are treated most unfairly.
New analysis of official figures by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shows women earn less than their male peers at every stage of their careers.
Frances O’Grady, head of the TUC, warned the figures showed Britain was almost 50 years off achieving full pay parity for women.
The breakdown of average earnings for full-time workers by age is as follows:
18-21
Men: £15,288. Women: £13,873.
GAP: £1,395
22-29
Men: £22,781. Women: £20,837.
GAP: £1,944
30-39
Men: £30,273. Women: £27,239.
GAP: £3,034
40-49
Men: £34,059. Women: £26,825.
GAP: £7,234
50-59
Men: £32,773. Women: £24,269.
GAP: £8,504
60+
Men: £27,693. Women: £21,372.
GAP: £6,321
The TUC said the pay gap revealed in its figures could be tackled by focusing attention on five areas.
It called for support for more equal parenting roles to stop women being held back at work and said more should be done to address excessive working hours in full-time jobs.
Better pay gap reporting, making sure women were not over-looked for promotions and supporting those who became mothers were also in its top priorities.
O’Grady said: “Women suffer a huge pay penalty over the course of their careers, which peaks in their 50s. At current rates of progress it will take decades for women to achieve pay parity with men.
“Having children has starkly different effects on men’s and women’s pay, with women earning less after having kids, and men earning more.
“Far more needs to be done to help mums get back into decent, well-paid jobs after they have kids – and to encourage dads to take on their share of caring responsibilities.”