Ahead of a debate in Parliament later this afternoon called by Labour MP Paula Sheriff, Labour are calling on the Government to conduct independent analysis to identify the extent of unfair gender pricing and marketing practices in the UK. This comes after research by The Times found that similar items marketed at women were 37 per cent more expensive on average than products marketed at men.

Kate Green MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, said:

“The Government has a duty to ensure that women are not being misled by manufacturers and advertisers into believing that products marketed at women have extra value or features if they do not. We need to be clear as to whether gender pricing differentials amount to discriminatory practice.

“This is part of an increasingly worrying pattern of gender economic inequality under this government. With chronic and persistent low pay in sectors dominated by women employees, a gender pay gap well above the EU average and 81 per cent of the savings made to the Treasury through tax and benefit changes coming from women since 2010, this government has a lot to answer for on its record on women and the economy.”

Paula Sherriff MP, who is leading the debate later this afternoon said:

“Further independent analysis is needed to understand the true extent and impact of differentials in pricing between similar products marketed at men and women. Women may be paying thousands of pounds more over the course of their lives to purchase similar products to men.

“We need clear answers from the Minister today about how the Government plan to properly investigate and tackle this issue alongside retailers.”