Women's income is half of men's

THE average woman's income is less than half the average man's, a study today has revealed.

The report highlights the gender gap in wages, employment and pensions. Campaigners hope it will increase pressure on the Government to adopt more radical policies to tackle inequality.

Full-time female workers earned on average just over 80% of the amount their male colleagues did, according to figures published last year. But women's income as a whole, including benefits and money from investments, is only 49% of men's.

The study, by the Institute for Employment Studies, shows more women are pensioners but pension income for wives is much lower than for husbands.