The gender pay gap for UK workers has narrowed slightly over the past year, according to new data.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recorded a 7% gap between men and women in April 2024.

It said this was down from 7.5% by 2023 and meant the overall gap had narrowed by around a quarter over the past 10 years.

The data showed men had average full-time earnings, excluding overtime, of £19.24 an hour, compared to £17.88 for women.

It means that the average working woman in the UK earns 93% of what the average man earns each year.

The gender pay gap measures the difference in average hourly earnings between men and women as a proportion of men’s wages.

Among all employees, the gender pay gap fell to 13.1% in April 2024, down from 14.2% in April 2023. This gap is wider due to the higher proportion of women working part-time norm.

The data showed that the gender pay gap was wider among those with higher incomes.

It also found that there is a wider gap between men and women over the age of 40 compared to the gap between younger workers.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “The gender pay gap is closing at a snail’s pace. At this rate, it will take another 16 years to close.

“We need bolder action so we don’t condemn another generation of women to pay for inequality.

“We desperately need more flexible, affordable and accessible childcare for all families that works around shifts, weekend work and irregular working patterns.”