Equality targets welcomed despite the gaps

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has welcomed government targets on gender equality but argues that there are major gaps.

The targets include:

* by 2006, 35% of large companies should have completed equal pay reviews;

* the government will improve the flexible-working opportunities open to mothers and fathers;

* by 2006 the government will create 250,000 new childcare places for at least 450,000 children, in addition to the new places for 1.6 million children to be created between 1997 and 2004;

* 35% of all senior civil service posts should be filled by women by 2004-05; and

* by 2005 boards of public bodies should have an overall balance of men and women.

The EOC said that the targets would make the government's action on sex equality more transparent, but noted that they also expose their patchy record in some areas.

EOC chair Julie Mellor pointed out that: "There are no targets on reducing women's poverty or any proposals to reform the pensions system to stop women losing out because of their caring responsibilities, despite the fact that women's average income in retirement is only 53% of what men have to live off."

Delivering on gender equality is available from www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk or by telephone from the DTI on: 020 7215 5000 (textphone: 020 7215 6740).