How to be paid more than men: Stay single

Men in their 20s no longer earn more than women, an official analysis of the 'pay gap' declared.

It found that the difference between the earnings of men and women twenty-somethings is 'non-existent'.

Women who choose to stay single are likely to earn more than single men throughout their lives, it said.

The study found no pay gap between the ages of 20 and 29, while women who remained single throughout their lives earned more than single men

The breakdown, published by the Office for National Statistics, showed that women match men in the pay stakes from when they leave university until they reach 30 - the point at which, on average, a woman has her first baby.

The real pay gap, the analysis showed, comes after women have children and many decide either to give up careers or ease back on work to devote time to their family.

The claim that a pay gap currently put at more than 17 per cent separates men and women has become an article of faith among politicians and quangocrats.

Last year Margaret Prosser, one of the Government's Equality Commissioners, said women 'are cheated of £330,000 over the course of their lifetime'. But the ONS analysis has led free-market economists to call for an end to worrying over unequal pay.

Ruth Lea, adviser to the Arbuthnot Banking Group, said: 'It is a matter of choice. People earn the same until they get together, and then they make choices about work, family and lifestyle. That is what adults are expected to do - make decisions.

'I suspect that in reality the pay advantage lies with women and I think the whole pay gap debate should stop now.'

The ONS analysis, by Sarah Conn, examined figures for median hourly pay rates.

Miss Conn said: 'There is a very small gender pay gap for those aged 18 to 21. It is non-existent for those aged 22 to 29 years.'

But the Government's Equality and Human Rights Commission said the pay gap does exist and reflects discrimination against women.

A spokesman said: 'One of the major causes of the pay gap, beyond the concern about women and men who are paid different rates for the same job, is the fact that they choose low-skill, part-time jobs after they have children.

'We want to know if that is a genuine choice or a Hobson's choice based on the limited opportunities available to women to work more flexibly.'