A new study regarding the UK’s property ladder in 2022 has revealed that two of Lancashire's boroughs currently have the smallest gender pay gaps in the North West, making it easier for women as well as men, to save for and afford to buy a house.

Pendle and Blackpool feature at seventh and eighth on the list with a £7 and £9 difference respectively in the amount of estimated monthly savings available to a man and a woman.

With energy bills and fuel prices rising across the UK, the pay gap highlighted in this study becomes increasingly significant for equal pay issues as the difference can impact women who are being paid less than men this year.

The study, conducted by Adams Selfstore, allowed researchers to find Pendle as one of the best places to represent equal pay, containing the least amount of difference in pay between genders evident from the difference between estimated monthly savings (EMS) for men and for women, as well as years to save for a house for both genders.

The estimated monthly savings (EMS) was calculated for each area by subtracting the average rent of a one-bedroom property from the average salary in each area.

Adams Selfstore then used the Office for National Statistics (ONS) national savings ratio to identify estimated monthly savings to fully identify EMS.

The gender pay gap refers to the difference between male and female earnings, and the issue still remains as the study finds significant differences between men's and women’s EMS, highlighting how disadvantaged women typically are in the property market.

For example, the study showed the difference in how many years it will take for women to save up for buying a house compared to men, and the table outlines that women will have to wait an average of 12.5 years.

In Pendle it will take on average 6.8 years for a man to save for a house, whereas it will take a woman 7.2 years.

This is an issue as it highlights the significance of earnings for women compared to men, and the number of years it takes women to save up for an increasingly expensive home in the UK.

From left to right the below table reads: region; local authority; (Men) estimated monthly savings (EMS); (Women) estimated monthly savings (EMS); total cost of buying a house; (Men) years to save; (Women) years to save; (Difference)

  • South East; Rushmoor; £206; £276; £35,417; 14.3; 10.7; -3.7
  • South East; Dover; £213; £226; £33,387; 13.0; 12.3; -0.7
  • North West; Carlisle; £179; £196; £16,753; 7.8; 7.1; -0.7
  • North East; Newcastle Upon Tyne; £212; £214; £20,229; 7.9; 7.9; -0.1 
  • North East; Middlesbrough; £182; £183; £13,978; 6.4; 6.4; 0.0 
  • East; Broxbourne; £216; £213; £46,323; 17.9; 18.1; 0.2
  • North West; Pendle; £167; £160; £13,706; 6.8; 7.2; 0.3
  • North West; Blackpool; £163; £154; £13,134; 6.7; 7.1; 0.4
  • North West; Copeland; £280; £258; £15,648; 4.7; 5.1; 0.4
  • East; Mid Suffolk; £203; £196; £37,352; 15.3; 15.9; 0.6;

There have been a total of 10 cities across the UK that were placed on this gender pay gap list, with Pendle positioned number seven and Blackpool number eight. 

Preston came in at 11th on the list, with it taking men on average 6.7 years to save for a house and women 8.2 years. 

A spokesperson for Adams Selfstore said: "Despite clear indication of equal pay across specific regions and cities across the UK, the rising house prices across Britain have made waves of concern for those who want to purchase a home instead of renting.

"One important aspect that so many people are failing to consider is the additional costs of moving and storage.

"As housing prices increase, so do the prices for moving and storage, and the added cost only extends the importance of gender pay differences that are prevalent around the world.

"But now that we’re seeing more local authorities represent and implement equal pay across the board, the road to equality in employment is set to take a positive turn.

"For those looking to move homes, we strongly advise looking into each individual aspect of transition that will cost you money - which will allow you to plan accordingly when moving homes.

"This means, look at how much the house will be, how much the deposit will be, how far away the house is and how much fuel your car will need, or how much a moving service will cost, how much new furniture will cost you, and how much the initial month of bills will cost you.

"We believe house prices will only increase from here on out, and the best way to tackle the high expenses of moving homes is to plan properly and carefully around it.”