More money for men than women in West Berkshire

Men in West Berkshire get paid around £8,000 a year more than women.

Men get paid an average of £38,922 in the district, whereas women are on an average of £30,699.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics also show that more men than women are unemployed, with 1,700 of those off work on long-term sick.

Figures also show that the number of claimants for Universal Credit and Job Seekers Allowance has dropped in the past year from 3,870 to 2,445.

More men (1,350) than women (1,095) are claiming.

The most valuable employment sectors in terms of effect on the local economy are the information and communication sectors, which outstrip manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services by more than half.

There are 35 large companies employing more than 250 people in West Berkshire, 150 medium-sized ones (50 to 249 employees), 725 small firms with up to 50 employees and 7,660 micro business employing fewer than 10 people.

In 2020, 900 new businesses launched in West Berkshire – but 970 closed down.

Most people in West Berkshire are employed in professional occupations, with 51 per cent of people working 35 to 44 hours a week.

Most – 81.3 per cent of people – work in the private sector and 18.7 per cent, or 15,700 people, work in the public sector.

73.5 per cent are employees with 11 per cent self employed.