Scottish ministers have launched an inquiry into the quality of jobs in Scotland following the 2008 recession. It is hoped that the inquiry will allow MSPs to see if the working conditions subjected to Scottish workers has improved followed the tough economic times.

According to the Office of National Statistics unemployment in the UK, has fallen once again.  Figures reveal that the number of people unemployed in the UK between February and April fell by 43,000 to 1.81 million.

Despite many advances in women’s rights and gender equality, women in employment continue to pay a high price for starting a family. Taxes, steep childcare costs, and lack of availability or access to such facilities force many into part-time work when they would ideally like to be working full-time.

The European Parliament has urged the European Commission to improve existing EU legislation to close the gender pay gap, including stricter sanctions on employers.