Council chiefs in Bromley were quizzed last night over why the gender pay gap shows female employees being paid less than men by more than 15 per cent.

A question put to councillor Graham Arthur pressed him on why figures published by the council show the women’s mean hourly rate as being 16.5 per cent lower than men’s.

In other words, when comparing mean hourly rates, women earn approximately 84p for every £1 that men earn.

Councillor Arthur emphasised that men and women in the same roles were paid the same.

He told councillors: “It is important to make clear from the outset, contrary to how figures are being presented nationally, gender pay gap is not the same as equal pay gap.

“The council carried out the equal pay audit in 2009/10. Based on a lengthy examination of roles and grades, to ensure sure staff on like for like roles are properly paid and are graded equally irrespective of gender.”

Equal pay means men and women working in equal roles earn receive equal pay, whereas gender pay is the difference between men and women’s average earnings across an organisation.

Cllr Arthur said the council’s gender pay gap was lower than the national average, but higher than surrounding boroughs. He pointed out that some boroughs, such as Lewisham, had minus figures.

He said: “The council gender pay gap says 16.5 per cent as a headline – it is about 11.7 per cent when you take in merit pay because that has been going to female staff disproportionately.

“I would also estimate that if you look at recent appointments made at high level in the council  it would certainly make it in single figures, it is diminishing in size.

“What is important to me is that the route into senior positions is equally open to male and female members of staff. That is why we are investing so much money into training internal staff. In the long term, we should look at flexible working and other arrangements that could make it more friendly for female staff.

“There is no evidence to suggest we don’t pay a fair rate for the job, regardless of the gender.”

This question comes as one Tory councillor in Bromley called the Prime Minister “stupid” for requiring companies to reveal their wage gaps.