Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Redbridge bucks the trend on women's pay

Redbridge LBC pays its female staff more than their male counterparts, an audit of staff salary has shown.

Redbridge LBC pays its female staff more than their male counterparts, an audit of staff salary has shown.

According to the council, the figures reveal an average pay gap of 3% mean, and a median gap of 10%, both in favour of women.

The council also bucks the trend with women in top jobs, with 10 out of 18 of the senior leadership posts held by women. The pay ratio for the council – the multiplier between the highest and lowest paid staff is also low, with the chief executive's salary of £171,813 only nine times as much as the lowest salary, and six times the average.

Announcing the results of the audit on International Women's Day, leader of the council Jas Athwal said: ‘We are committed to fairness in Redbridge, and I'm proud of the progress we are making towards gender equality in the council. 
‘We have held down senior pay and now with the introduction of the living wage we will make even more progress in improving life for our staff. 
‘Like all councils, we know there is much more to do to ensure we are a fair and fully representative organisation, but this news is a big step in the right direction.'

HUMAN RESOURCES

The little button quietly saving UK councils from a thousand complaint emails

28 May 2026

On a Wednesday morning in February, a mother somewhere in the north of England sat down to apply for free school meals. She found her council's website. She ...

HUMAN RESOURCES

The changing face of local government

By Rachael Morris | 28 May 2026

Rachael Morris discusses why political change is becoming a workforce risk and has an impact on psychological safety.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Three ways to help opposition councillors play their role effectively

By Piali Das Gupta | 27 May 2026

The importance of opposition councillors should not be underestimated, writes Piali Das Gupta. Here, she sets out how officers can help those new to the role.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Fair Funding: Have rural councils in England really lost out?

By Gabriel Stewart | 26 May 2026

When it comes to spending power, urban councils will soar ahead of rural councils by 2028-29, according to LGA figures. But exclusive Institute for Fiscal St...

Heather Jameson

Popular articles by Heather Jameson