West of Scotland list MSP Jamie Greene is calling on the Scottish Government to resolve the gender pay gap which exists in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Information discovered in a freedom of information request this week revealed a significant pay difference between male and female consultants in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, making it the joint worst in the country along with NHS Borders.

This follows a BBC article this week which revealed that the gender pay gap across Scotland’s NHS was significant, with only 15 out of 100 of the highest-paid consultants being women.

The data highlights large disparities at the top end of earners, with the highest paid male consultant earning approximately £100,000 more per year than the highest paid female. These discrepancies exist throughout all consultants. The highest earning female consultant earns £10,000 less than then her closest male rival and £110,000 less than the top earing male consultant.

Jamie Greene, regional MSP for West Scotland, said: "Consultant earnings between 2016 to 2017 illustrate exactly how widespread the issue is. The average male consultant has earned £21,712 more than his female counterparts. The gender pay gap has been most pronounced in those aged 61-65 where women have earned less than half of what male consultants receive.

"It is clear from the information that a large part of the differences in income stem from how bonuses and additional allowances have been rewarded.

“These figures are completely appalling.

“I would like to thank all the hardworking women in NHS Ayrshire and Arran for the work they do, and hope that the SNP will seek to resolve this gender pay gap as it has no place in 21st century Scotland.”