Women in Hackney are earning more than men for the first time ever, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The new research shows that Hackney is one of the only four places in the country where women outdo men in terms of pay.

The median annual salary for women in full-time employment who live in Hackney is �30,760, compared with �30,565 for men – �195 less. In London, only Haringey women fare better when compared with the opposite sex.

Hackney North MP Diane Abbott said: “It’s good news that women continue to close the pay gap to men, but certainly curious that in Hackney women earn more than men.

“Full credit should go to Hackney’s women who should be proud. We know that if you are to earn a good wage you need a good education. Girls are doing better than they have previously done in schools in Hackney and look to be reaping rewards later on.

“However, I think a big factor is that the talents of young men are being lost. The unemployment rate for young, black men in the area is 55 per cent – that means many who have a contribution to make are not being given a chance.”

The median for Hackney women is �677 greater than the London-wide figure, although men in Hackney are taking home �4,058 less than their peers.

The London median for men is �34,623.

These figures represent an increase of 2.3 per cent in women’s pay in Hackney over the last year, but a 10 per cent fall for men.

Nationally men still earn 9.6 per cent more than women according to the report, although that figure has fallen below 10 per cent for the first time since records began in 2000.

Dr Jane Holgate, a senior lecturer in work and employment relations from Stoke Newington, said: “I think it’s excellent news that the gender pay gap is starting to reduce. It’s been decreasing for a while although we’re still a long way from gender equality.

“In terms of the disparity in Hackney, we are close to the city and have women who are extremely highly paid as well as women who are extremely low paid.

“We have disparities between extreme wealth and extreme poverty.

“If you look at the public sector, there’s less of a pay gap compared to the private sector. If we have a high number of public sector workers that would also skew the figures.

“The main employers in the borough are the council and Homerton hospital, which because they are public sector, have more pay equality. However, we would need to know the breakdown of occupation of the population before we could say for definite.”

For a great visual summary of national salary survey results, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/nov/22/pay-salaries-survey-ashe-ons

For the original ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings data, visit http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/2012-provisional-results/stb-ashe-statistical-bulletin-2012.html