The Times today published some real nonsense by @AnnabelDenham1, heaping scorn upon the concept of the #genderpaygap. Let me correct some of its many errors. First, it confuses equal pay and the GPG. They are not the same. Equal pay is the specific comparison of two jobs ... 1/

which are done by persons of the opposite sex. GPG is a generalised view across a company, sector or country. of gender pay differences. Second to say "equal pay is illegal" (it's unlawful not a criminal offence) is like saying that the Theft Act makes it illegal to steal. 2/

If @AnnabelDenham1 had looked at some law reports recently, she would know that women are still bringing - and winning- equal pay claims. But that is not the point. Third, she says that concern about GPG unjustly compares the male Managing Director with the female trainee. 3/

It would have been better had the GPG regulations had, as other countries do, required more specific information, such as breaking pay down it into specified pay groups - the current law does not disclose any figures at all. Fourth, it suggests that women are paid less ...4/

because of a lifestyle choice to have and raise children, say by working flexible hours. This shows ignorance of how GPG reporting works, because what is measured is the hourly rate, not the total pay packet. Clearly a man working more hours will earn more than a woman does.. 5/

But that is not the issue. The issue is whether she is paid the same hourly rate for the same work or work of equal value, or whether she is subjected to the stereotypical assumptions that women are of less value than men, less reliable and less productive. 6/

Fifth, she asks, "Why should jobs be evaluated on wage rather than fulfilment?" Which does not answer the question why men and women doing the same work are paid differently on outdated and discriminatory criteria. Sixth, the whole article is riddled with sexist language... 7/

@fawcettsociety's "hysterical" cries. Concerns are only voiced by "feminists". There 's a "tired narrative of sexism". GPG activists will issue "panicked reports". There's an "obsession with female victimhood". So presumably @AnnabelDenham1 sees herself as the voice of reason. 8/

Well, here is news for @thetimes and @AnnabelDenham1. Woman are still discriminated against in the workplace, law or no law. Fewer women than men are promoted. Boards of Directors and Senior Management are still overwhelmingly male. And many employers and some unions- 9/

see or saw women as working for "pin money" or doing lesser jobs even when rated as equivalent in an employer's own job evaluation studies. And as she looked at the differences in City salaries and bonuses lately? So @thetimes - are you going to run a counter piece to this? 10/

Worth adding that over the years jobs have been historically performed by only or mostly one gender as happens in the local authority and supermarket claims. This is known as occupational gender segregation and it leads to marked pay inequality