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Supporting Female Staff
The gender pay gap continues to be a major issue across all industries.
A new report reveals that female workers face a worsening situation when it comes to achieving equality and, in the event of deep public spending cuts, female workers will be hardest hit, facing widespread job losses and a reduction in post-retirement income.

The findings come as the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) urges organisations to take steps to protect their female employees and it also follows CMI’s latest Economic Outlook survey which revealed that the relative advantage in job security female managers had over their male colleagues, in April 2009, has now disappeared.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI says; “It is a depressing fact that inequality appears to be endemic within the UK workforce and despite the fact that many of our European counterparts have succeeded in tackling the problem, UK organisations are lagging far behind when it comes to taking care of their female staff. There is no shortage of female talent in the UK, but organisations persist in passing over women when it comes to filling the top spots. The proportion of female directors has risen by less than one per cent in the past 12 months and is only five per cent higher than a decade ago.

It is a depressing fact that inequality appears to be endemic within the UK
workforce.
“The gender pay gap continues to be a major issue across all industries and urgently needs addressing. Women are paid less than men at all levels, but at director level, this difference can be as much as 15.6 per cent. Diversity is essential in business, but in organisations where women are poorly paid and their ambitions to reach senior positions thwarted, it is no wonder many are keen to jump ship.

“This is a ridiculous state of affairs. There needs to be a radical shift of attitude in the UK whereby gaps in equal opportunities or pay between men and women are regarded as deeply unfair and utterly unacceptable. We are urging employers to take urgent action to protect their female staff and demonstrate that they are just as valued, and valuable, as their male peers.”

Ruth Spellman’s comments come against a backdrop of figures obtained by the CMI’s recent National Management Salary Survey, showing that at junior level, male pay is increasing at a greater rate than female pay: 5.2% compared with 4.6% respectively - an indication that the gender pay gap is actually increasing.

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.