Nudging employers to do better on equality doesn’t work – they need a shove instead

A leading economist says the productivity gap will close with legislation to help women achieve their potential. But what about Bame and disabled workers, asks James Moore

The gender pay gap will be closed only with legislation (PA)

One reason why Britain has a skills and productivity gap is that it’s failing to make the best use of its workforce’s potential.

Take female workers. Vicky Pryce, the former head of the government’s economic service, argues that the UK is sacrificing productivity, prosperity and growth through women not working up to their skill levels or acquiring more.

So far, so familiar. But, writing for the Forecasting Eye briefing for the Centre for Economics and Business Research, Pryce says that will change only through regulation and/or legislation to remove the formidable barriers in their way.