London Assembly members have urged Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to consider reducing rent for women due to the gender pay gap. This comes after a report by City Hall's cross-party
housing committee, which found that women in London earn significantly less than men. The committee chair, Sem Moema, stated that this disparity meant that some women were being disproportionately affected by rising rental costs.
The Women and Housing: A Gap in the Market report makes several recommendations aimed at City Hall and the government. The report suggests that the Mayor should consider making London Living Rent homes available to women based on their median incomes, rather than general median incomes. This is because the report found that women earning the median wage need to spend 63% of their earnings to afford the median private rent in London, compared to men who need to spend 49% of their earnings.
Ms. Moema, who is a Labour assembly member, believes that the report presents opportunities for the Mayor to "level the playing field for women". She added that if the appropriate steps were taken, there could be a significant improvement in women's ability to rent or own their own home in London.
A spokeswoman for the Mayor of London responded to the report, saying that Sadiq Khan welcomes the committee's work on this important subject and will be considering their recommendations as part of his efforts to build a better London for everyone.
The report's recommendations also call on the government to take action to address the gender pay gap, including introducing mandatory gender pay gap reporting for companies with fewer than 250 employees. The report also calls on the government to increase support for women who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, as well as for women who are victims of domestic violence.
The gender pay gap is a long-standing issue in the UK, with women typically earning less than men in most industries and sectors. This has a significant impact on women's ability to afford housing, particularly in cities like London where rental costs are high.