THE earnings gap between Scotland's two biggest cities is narrowing, although workers in Glasgow are still paid (pounds) 2000 less per year than their counterparts in Edinburgh, according to new figures.

The data from the Office of National Statistics shows average annual earnings have risen by 4% in Glasgow to (pounds) 23,218, compared to a drop of 2.6% in Edinburgh to (pounds) 25,216 in the year to last April.

Across Scotland, average yearly earnings were (pounds) 22,660 in April 2003, a rise of 2.3% from 2002. This figure was (pounds) 2991 less than the average earnings in England, which had risen by 2.5% to (pounds) 25,651.

Scottish earnings were lowest in the Borders, where the yearly average was (pounds) 18,415. It was also the second-lowest level in Great Britain, with only Gweynedd, Wales, recording a lower figure of (pounds) 17,987.

Workers in London brought home the highest wages, with average earnings of (pounds) 36,022. Within London, earnings for those working within the City of London rose to an average of (pounds) 63,101, and to (pounds) 41,411 in the City of Westminster.

Scots worked an average of 39.6 hours a week, the same as English and Welsh workers. Workers in Angus worked the longest hours in Scotland (42.1 each week).

Across Britain only workers in north Lincolnshire put in more hours each week - working 42.2.

The statistics also showed a marked difference in the earnings of men and women, although the gap had narrowed, with women's pay rising by 3.3% from April 2002 to April 2003, compared to a 2.2% rise for men.

Across the UK, women on average earned (pounds) 20,314, nearly (pounds) 7800 less than men, who earned (pounds) 28,065.

The difference between women and men in Scotland was less marked, with women earning nearly (pounds) 5300 less than men with an annual income of (pounds) 18,974 compared to (pounds) 25,270 for men.

The lowest-paid women worked in administrative posts ((pounds) 244.60 per week) while health professionals earned the highest weekly wage of (pounds) 846.50.

Male health professionals were also the highest paid ((pounds) 1179.00 per week). The lowest male earners worked in customer services ((pounds) 292.70 per week).

John Wilson, director of the Scottish Low Pay Unit, said the rise in pay in Scotland was promising but said more needed to be done to help those on the lowest end of the pay scale.

The figures showed that 18.7% of Scots earned less than (pounds) 250 a week, compared to 16.1% throughout the UK and 15.5% in England.

''The continuation of low pay in Scotland is unacceptable,'' Mr Wilson said.

The Scottish Executive refused to comment on the difference in earnings in Scotland and England, but said it was committed to improving Scotland's long-term economic performance and to ensure all areas benefited from the

improvements.