LONDON -- As George Osborne unveiled his eighth Budget on Wednesday -- announcing infrastructure investment and updates about the British economy -- he also made some pretty bold claims, which didn't go over well.
Seizing the opportunity to praise the Conservative government's achievements to date, Osborne stated that under the Tory government: "the gender pay gap has never been smaller."
While the Conservatives in the House of Commons cheered in celebration; people on Twitter were less than impressed.
Many pointed out that the pay gap shouldn't exist at all...
George Osborne: Under this Prime Minister "the gender pay gap has never been smaller".
The gap shouldn't even exist!#Budget2016— Charlotte Morgan (@Charly_Morgan) March 16, 2016
"the gender pay gap has never been smaller" ..???? but it's still there?!?! nothing to celebrate #Budget2016— Holly Shea (@saintshea) March 16, 2016
"Gender pay gap has never been smaller" #Budget2016 There should be no gender pay gap at all!— Sue Rose (@Rosebudlia) March 16, 2016
"The gender pay gap has never been smaller". Er, mate - pretty sure it shouldn't even fucking exist. #Budget2016— Lucy Gill (@LucyGill09) March 16, 2016
George mentioning the gender pay gap once, saying its the smallest its ever been. As if that's the solution, IT SHOULDNT EXIST AT ALL #PMQs— Molly Thompson (@molly_georginaa) March 16, 2016
While some questioned the ways in which the gap has been reduced.
And the only reason the gender pay gap narrowed was because male pay fell, not because female pay has risen #Budget2016— Jack Jones (@UNITE_Jack) March 16, 2016
Others drew on the depressing rate at which progress is being made.
Progress on closing the gender pay gap has stalled. At this rate, it will be 47 years until it is closed. #Budget2016— Chris Bradley (@CJBradley_) March 16, 2016
And some drew on current figures.
Considering the Equal Pay Act is 46 years old & the gender pay gap is still 13.9% not sure there's a huge amount to boast about #Budget2016— Joel Taylor (@JoelTaylorhack) March 16, 2016
Maybe, he should have taken that line out.