Hes paid more than me for the same job

Please ignore me I read he was 49.

Private sector? He's getting £ for experience. You can't expect to walk in on the same salary.

The best way to make money is to stay for a couple of years and move on.

I think the key with asking for money (from my long experience as a freelancer) is to seem matter of fact about it. Not cringing, embarrassed or apologetic - just "I'd like X much for this work."

Oh I've seen about the Phd reserach now, so if you can't do the actual same things as he does, you can say "I feeel me and X are at a similar level though we bring slightly different things to the job, my leadership skills and his research skills, so I'd like a a pay rise to be on a par with him."

One way to seem reasonable but put them on the spot is to say something like "I would really like some advice on how I can improve my performance to the level X is at, as I'm keen to keep getting better at this job" (your own wording obv).

Either they'll say you are as good/the same as him, in which case you'll say "great, then I guess I should be paid the same, so that's the pay rise I'm asking for"

Or they do give you some pointers, if they have any, and you say "thanks, I'd really like to work towards being at the same level as him by X date, so a pay rise of (half way) now and a pay rise to his level on X date"

Of course they could increase his pay over the same period but it would make them aware you're not accepting the situation as it is.

Wow that's a massive difference OP - if you're good and they appreciate you, I don't think his PhD can be worth that much.

I agree with getting union advice if that's an option. If not, document everything you both do, any differences in your responsibilities or achievements etc, and then make your case to them - clearly and calmly. Point out that you should be getting the same pay for the same job, or if there are any differences they can point to, at least something much closer to his pay. Be professional and positive (though you have every right to be fucking furious, I think you'll get better results by seeming eminently reasonable, if you see what I mean).

I listened to a professional podcast and in that suggested some steps to reduce the pay gap between the sexes. One was when recruiting not to ask the current salary. Women say a lower number, so when setting the salary to offer, men are offered more.
This increment is in every job change and builds up..,

Blimey that’s quite a gap. Is it the sort of job where you can progress really quickly up the pay scale? I ask as I work in an industry where it’s quite realistic to double your salary over four years.

But def. speak to a union, join one if you can and you’re not unionised already. Does your company publish its gender pay gap results? Are there any published pay scales? Are there other people doing the same role?

Does his PhD make him better at the job?

I could have a PhD in Classics that wouldn’t make me a better Doctor or Accountant.

Do you do exactly the same work? Are there any differences they could point to?

Ask them what criteria are used for assessing salary levels.

That is a massive pay difference, how long has he been in the job, has he moved up the pay grade? Is there scope for you to move up the pay grade?

Are you in a union OP? It sounds as if you may well have a case but you need advice.