SWINDON has a wider gender pay gap that the national average, according to new research by the Trade Union Council.

The average gap between men and women in the UK stands at 17.9 per cent, according to analysis, but women in Swindon face an even wider gap of 20.8 per cent.

The disparity means women end up working for 'free' for the first 65 days of the year across the UK, illustrating the time it would take to earn the shortfall.

This comes to an end on Women’s Pay Day – the day of the year when the average woman starts being paid compared to men, which in the UK is today.

But because of the larger gap women in Swindon would have to wait until March 15.

Nigel Costley, TUC south west regional secretary, said: “The south west has an even worse pay gap than the UK which still has one of the worst gender pay gaps in Europe.

“Women effectively work for free for two months of the year – and at current rates of progress it’ll take another 60 years for this gap to close.

“Making employers publish information on their gender pay gaps is a start but it’s nowhere near enough. Employers must be legally required to explain how they’ll tackle pay inequality at their workplaces and advertise jobs on a more flexible basis.

“Women in the region will only start to get paid properly when part-time jobs are better-paid and jobs are flexible from day one.

“Workplaces that recognise unions are more likely to have family-friendly policies and fair pay.

"So a good first step for women worried about their pay is to join a union.”

The gender pay gap is calculated using the annual survey of hours and earnings compiled by the Office for National Statistics.

According to the TUC since 2011 the gender pay gap has fallen by an average of just 0.3 percentage points a year.

At the current rate it will take around 60 years to achieve pay parity between men and women.