THE disparity in pay between men and women across the county has been revealed as part of a government initiative.

Organisations which employ over 250 people had until midnight last night to submit gender pay gap data.

A comparison of mean hourly pay rates show that some employers in Worcestershire pay men over 35 per cent more than women.

In some cases when the difference is worked out by comparing median hourly rates the pay gap is even greater.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said some employees are paid more to reflect length of service and other factors.

A spokesman for The Royal Grammar School Worcester said: "At first glance our data indicates a pay gap as highlighted by women’s mean and median hourly rates.

"Putting this into context, the majority of lower paid staff are female, which contributes to a distortion in the data between males and females.  

"These roles are paid appropriately for the skill and knowledge required and are regularly reviewed."

Guy Ralphs, who controls finances at Malvern College, added: "The figures highlight an important difference between equal pay and the gender gap.

"Malvern College is committed to equal opportunity and fair pay. We are also committed to ensuring that each member of our staff, irrespective of gender, is paid equally for work that is of a similar nature."

A comparison of median hourly rates shows that women earn 35.33 per cent less at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The data found that women are paid 30.4 per cent less at Worcester's Yamazaki Mazak and 28.4 per cent less at Malvern College.

It also highlighted that female employees' pay is 25.8 per cent lower at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, 20.7 per cent less at The Royal Grammar School Worcester and 18.4 per cent less at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.

An analysis of the median hourly rates at King's School Worcester shows that women receive 36.8 per cent less than male staff, while at Malvern College this gap increases to 41 per cent.