Research and analysis

Understanding pay discrimination in the UK

Research which aims to understand the problem of pay discrimination from the perspective of those being discriminated against, and explore potential solutions.

• From: Office for Equality and Opportunity, The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Seema Malhotra MP and The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP
• Published: 14 July 2026

Documents

Understanding pay discrimination: research to support improving equal pay law and ending pay discrimination

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Details

This research was commissioned by the Office for Equality and Opportunity to inform the development of planned legislation. It seeks to explore pay discrimination on the grounds of race, disability and sex.

This report is an independent piece of research and the findings and recommendations do not constitute official government guidance or policy.

The starting point for this report is that discrimination in all forms is wrong, and must be dealt with. While there are a range of perspectives that could be adopted on pay discrimination, the basis for this research is to:

• understand the problem of pay discrimination from the perspective of those being discriminated against, or alleging discrimination
• explore potential solutions that could contribute to reducing discrimination and increase fairness when it comes to pay

The research has 3 objectives:

1. To assess the prevalence, patterns and characteristics of pay discrimination on the basis of race, disability and sex, including differences between protected characteristics, sectors and contract types.
2. To analyse the avenues for redress for pay discrimination in the Equality Act 2010 and identify barriers that frustrate effectiveness.
3. To explore steps that could be taken to prevent pay discrimination and remove barriers to redress.

Published 14 July 2026