Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Minister, responding to an IFS report finding that the Gender wage gap grows year on year after childbirth, said:

“This report highlights how far we still need to go to ensure women workers are paid the same as their male colleagues, especially amongst those with qualifications.

"It is unacceptable that the wage gap between men and women with ‘A’ levels or degrees has remained unchanged over the last 20 years. There is no excuse for this - women deserve equal pay for equal work. There is little incentive for those young women who have just qualified with their 'A’ levels and are considering university, to see that in the future they will still be paid less than the men they study alongside.

"The report also shows that having a child costs women both in their pay packet and in their chances of being promoted. Mothers should not be penalised for having a family. Employers must act to ensure women who return to the workplace after having children are not facing discrimination in their salary or promotion prospects. 

"I expect a Government led by a female Prime Minister to stamp out such wage discrimination. Theresa May will be judged by her actions on tackling discrimination and disadvantage for other women. She cannot condone this and do nothing.”