WORKPLACE equality stops at the gates of Parliament, a shock report by the GMB union revealed today.

The report, by the union’s branch for MPs’ and peers’ staff, found big pay gaps and unequal career progression for women, non-white and disabled workers employed by parliamentarians.

The branch collected data across gender, ethnicity, disability, and other protected characteristics with findings including women earning more than £1,000 less on average than men. Non-white staff earn £2,200 less on average than white colleagues with non-white women hit hardest, earning nearly £6,000 less than white men.

It also found that disabled staff earn £646 less on average than non-disabled colleagues and only 17 per cent of staff who raised concerns about pay or discrimination said their complaint was addressed satisfactorily.

Branch race officer Kartik Sawhney said: “Parliament should lead by example, yet inequality is built into the way it employs staff.

“The current system leaves every MP as a separate employer, which means no-one can take real responsibility for fairness or progression, and inexcusable pay gaps and discrimination are left to thrive. 

“We need One Parliament: a single, accountable employer resulting in equal pay, fair treatment, and a culture that values every worker.”

The union’s equalities officer Holly Williamson added: “This report confirms what many of us already know: women, non-white and disabled colleagues work just as hard, but are paid less. Parliament must do better.”

And its branch youth officer Philip Hutchinson said: “This report shows that young workers are left particularly vulnerable, experiencing increased levels of bullying and exploitation and heightened levels of job insecurity.

“The government has promised to ban unpaid internships, and ending their use in Parliament would be a good place to start.”