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- Black workers with A-levels earn £1.20 an hour less than whites
- Black pay gap widest for those with degrees (14%) and higher education certs and diplomas (20%)

Black workers whose highest qualifications are A-levels earn 10% less than their white peers – missing out on an average £1.20 per hour.

The new analysis was published by the TUC today (Monday), in advance of A-level results on Thursday.

The figures show that while more qualified workers get higher pay, the pay gap for black workers often increases with more qualifications.

Black workers with degrees face a 14% pay gap (£2.63 less per hour), while those with higher education certs and diplomas face a 20% gap (£2.98 less per hour).

Black school leavers with GCSEs earn 12% less (£1.30 less per hour), and those with no qualifications face a 5% pay gap (45p less per hour).

Regardless of qualifications, black workers get paid 8.3% less than white workers – costing them an average of £1.15 an hour.

Commenting on the findings, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Whether they have PhDs or GCSEs, black workers simply aren’t getting paid the same as white workers with similar qualifications.

“Students get their A-level results this week. The harsh reality is that race will still play a huge role in how much they get paid.

“It's time for the government to require employers to publish pay data broken down by ethnicity. Then we can see where the problems are and put pressure on bosses to close the pay gap."

The TUC is calling for on the government to:

  • Pass legislation requiring employers with more than 50 staff to analyse and publish ethnicity data on progression, employment type and pay;
  • Develop a comprehensive national race equality strategy;
  • Work with trade unions to establish targets and develop actions to address racial inequalities in the workforce.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

 

White

BME

Black

Black pay gap

Black pay gap (%)

All

 £13.93

£13.70

£12.78

 -£1.15

8.3%

Degree or equivalent

 £18.85

£17.35

£16.23

 -£2.63

13.9%

Higher education (below degree level)

 £14.63

£12.58

£11.65

- £2.98

20.3%

A level or equivalent

 £ 11.68

£10.40

£10.48

 -£1.20

10.3%

GCSE grades A*-C or equivalent

 £10.75

£10.03

 £9.45

-£1.30

12.1%

No qualification

 £8.95

Data unavailable

 £8.50

-£0.45

5.0%

- All figures based on TUC analysis of the latest ONS Labour Force Survey figures from Q2 2016 – Q1 2017. Figures are based on average gross hourly pay.
- Black workers includes those who identify as Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British.
- All TUC press releases can be found at tuc.org.uk/media
- TUC Press Office on Twitter: @tucnews
- Congress 2017 will be held in the Brighton Centre from Sunday 10 September to Wednesday 13 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/Mediacredentials2017 and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Tuesday 29 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Brighton and will cost £75.

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