The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2013

Trade unions have criticised a lack of government action to prevent this year’s “shock rise” in the gender pay gap, which had started to narrow slightly in recent years.

“The light touch, voluntary approach to tackling gender pay inequality is clearly failing,” said the TUC's general secretary, Frances O’Grady. “We need tougher action to force companies to look at their pay gaps.

“The government can lead the way by making all new public sector vacancies available on a part-time or flexible basis, so that women don’t have to trade down jobs if they need to work fewer hours to balance their career with caring responsibilities,” she added.