Helen Skelton SLAMS ‘archaic’ gender pay gap: ‘It shouldn’t be about your sex’

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, the 33-year-old television presenter hit out at inequality, saying: “It’s archaic. The fact that some of my friends get paid so differently. I’ve got a friend who’s a corporate lawyer and it’s so different. It shouldn’t have anything to do with your sex. It should be about experience, what you bring to the table.

The star from Cumbria continued: “I have lots of friends who get paid less and they don’t have kids and they don’t have time off. So do I think that’s an issue that should be addressed? Yes. Do I think that we are making greater strides towards that? Yes.”

Last year she fronted an episode of ITV’s Tonight programme called Kids V Career in which she looked at whether women could juggle work and family life.

Current government figures show that the gender pay gap is at a historic low at just 18 per cent despite the fact that unequal wages based on sex has been illegal for 45 years.

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However, Helen did say that she was positive that times were changing and that things were improving as she explained: “I think gender pay gap is depressing but I actually think there’s no better time to be a woman.

“There are so many opportunities for women and I just hope that people make the most of those opportunities, stick to their choices and have confidence in their choices.”

The former Blue Peter presenter and Countryfile reporter, who is seven months pregnant with her second child with husband and rugby player Richie Myler, admitted that she had found it “scary” while she was pregnant with her son Ernie.

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Helen Skelton has hit out at the gender pay gap

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Helen Skelton at last year's Rio Olympics

It shouldn’t have anything to do with your sex. It should be about experience, what you bring to the table.

Helen Skelton

But had now relaxed into motherhood and stressed that it was important for women to follow their gut instincts instead of giving in to the “guilt and pressure” placed on them by society.

“You have to do what’s right for you and be confident about your choices and yeah, my work-life balance has completely changed because my life is about my little boy now,” she said.

“I’m really lucky when I do go to work I enjoy my work and it’s a battle juggling what’s right for him and what’s good for my career and all the rest of it, but I think that’s the same for anyone who works. Not just mums, my husband finds it hard when he has to be away for work,” Helen added.

Meanwhile, she is currently working with British Lion eggs to promote the protein-filled food as the company launches its one-pot campaign.

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Helen Skelton is expecting her second child

Helen Skelton shows off her baby bump
Thu, December 1, 2016

British presenter Helen Skelton in pictures

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Pregnant Helen Skelton shows off her baby bump

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Helen Skelton with Sunday Brunch chef Simon Rimmer

Along with Sunday Brunch star and chef Simon Rimmer, Helen is championing the health benefits of eggs which provide an affordable source of protein as well as being full of vitamins.

Simon has put together a range of quick and simply egg recipes that people can follow to whip up fuss-free meals.

Both Helen and Simon have been at the Sunny Side Up Pop Up Cafe in London’s Covent Garden, where they have been talking about their passion for eggs.

Helen Skelton and Simon Rimmer are British Lion eggs ambassadors, check out their recipes at eggrecipes.co.uk

Visit Simon on the 25 January at the Sunny Side Up Pop Up Café, 176 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, WC2B 5QF – the café is open 11am to 3pm, Simon will be there from 12-2pm.

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