Women face long-term problem of low pay

Women are more likely than men to be poor throughout their lives, according to a TUC report, Beating the gender poverty trap.

The report shows that a number of factors result in nearly two-thirds of adult women (62%) having a below average income, compared to only just over half of the adult male population (56%).

The gender pay gap in hourly earnings - particularly the large difference between men's earnings and those of part-time women - is one of the major causes of female poverty, according to the report.

Poverty also continues into retirement, with only four in 10 women who work part time having access to any kind of pension scheme.

Beating the gender poverty trap is available free from the TUC website at www.tuc.org.uk or by ringing 020 7636 4030.