How pay gaps research is informing policy in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, pay disparities across sectors and groups are a key focus for government departments and public sector organisations. Addressing these gaps is important for promoting equality in the workplace. John Hughes, a researcher at the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) (part of ADR Northern Ireland), shares how recent administrative data research on gender and disability pay gaps is influencing policies in Northern Ireland to create a more equitable workforce.

Our team at NISRA used the Earnings and Employees Study 2011 to examine gender and disability pay gaps. This linked administrative dataset contains de-identified information for around 1% of all full- and part-time employees in Northern Ireland covered by Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes in 2011, including their pay, gender, household, and occupation.

Our disability pay gaps report was published in February this year, and the gender pay gaps report followed in August. Both reports provide new insights into pay differences for all employees by background characteristics. 

What we found   

• In 2011, the gender pay gap for Northern Ireland was 8.8%, with the private sector pay gap (21.7%) considerably higher than in the public sector (5.6%)
• The largest gender pay gaps were among employees aged 55+, with 37.4% in the private sector and 31% in the public sector
• Notably, there was a 35% gender pay gap in the private sector for employees born in England, Scotland and Wales
• Disabled employees earned 12.1% less than non-disabled employees in 2011
• The disability pay gap was most pronounced among employees aged 35-44 years (27.6%), public sector workers (20.3%), and those in professional occupations (18.7%). 

New insights for policy and practice

Men and women, and people who are disabled and those who are not, are two of the nine equality categories outlined in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Public authorities are required to consider the need to promote equality of opportunity across these groups. As a result, administrative data research on gender and disability pay gaps is highly valued by government bodies, academics, the voluntary and community sector, and the public.

A range of stakeholders have shared their views on how these findings could inform policy:

“While gender pay gap reporting by larger businesses (250+ employees) is not mandatory in Northern Ireland at the minute, unlike the rest of the UK, these findings are invaluable for future policy development in this area.” Jennifer Campbell, Gender Equality Unit, Department for Communities

“The disability pay gap is one of several key indicators within a forthcoming Disability and Work Strategy for Northern Ireland, representing an important metric within disability employment. This research – and in particular, planned updates – are relevant in ensuring that work pays for people with disabilities.” Stephen McGlew, Disability and Work Strategy, Department for Communities

 “A key objective of the Minister’s Economic Plan is to increase the proportion of working-age people in Good jobs. It is not acceptable that being in work does not guarantee a reasonable standard of living. This is particularly the case for women and people with disabilities, who disproportionately make up the low-paid. There is, therefore, an obvious need for research like this, as it will form an evidence base to influence and shape policy decisions and the drive to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.”  Conor McKendry, Head of Corporate Governance and Equality Branch, Department for the Economy.

“These research findings are a useful resource for the Commission, to be used when we are developing evidence-based recommendations for policy changes required in Northern Ireland. The data provides insights into the equality issues presented or underpinning the findings.”  Lisa King, Director of Research and Investigations, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

What next?

An updated Earnings and Employees Study dataset is planned for release in 2025.

NISRA researchers, in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast colleagues in the Administrative Data Research Centre Northern Ireland (also part of ADR Northern Ireland), are conducting longitudinal research analysing employment outcomes for people who acquire disability in childhood or adulthood. This research aims to provide fresh insights to assist employers and policymakers in addressing the disability employment gap.