What progress the Equality and Human Rights Commission has made on developing a set of metrics for reporting on equal pay.

Given that women are, on average, still paid 22 per cent. less than men 40 years after the Equal Pay Act 1970, we need greater transparency about pay structures to find out what is happening in organisations so that we can tackle this unacceptable inequality. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is working with business, the unions and others to give comparable, clear figures so that they can be published business to business in places with more than 250 employees. The consultation that it held closed on 28 October and we expect its recommendations soon.

My understanding was that the Equality and Human Rights Commission would publish its findings on metrics in July and that the measure would come out at Christmas. Will the Minister enlighten us about when it is due?

I saw the commission chairman at an event about positive action on Tuesday; he reassured me that the commission is on the cusp of being ready to publish. I expect the findings to come out in January-about then.