The pay gap for earning statistics between disabled and non-disabled employees is now even higher. The Office of National Statistics released new figures stating that the 12.7% pay gap has fallen, whereas the median pay has risen. Non-disabled employees have a median hourly pay of £15.69, whereas disabled employees a mere £13.69.
Trades Union Congress states this new figure of 17.2% equates to a loss of £2.35 per hour for disabled employees, causing the gap in pay. The ONS equate these figures to a difference in pay of of £82.25 a week or £4,300 per year based on a working week of 35 hours.
Furthermore, the pay gap remained visible for those with autism and severe or specific learning difficulties. The widest pay gaps appeared in those employees with autism, 27.9%, with epilepsy sufferers following closely at 26.9%. Severe or specific learning difficulties came out at 20.3% difference in pay in comparison with non-disabled workers. These figures suggest the employees who are extremely impacted by their disability in daily activities, reflecting in a 17.1% pay gap.
Factors affecting the pay gap also included occupation, qualifications, and age, all which collectively widen the differences in pay.