Women in the UK are still lagging behind men in the pay league, figures show.

According to the Women and Work Commission, women in full-time work earn 18 per cent less than men.

Women working part-time are even worse off, earning 40 per cent less than their male counterparts.

"The gender pay gap has fallen from a high of 30 per cent in the 1970s and the employment prospects of women have rocketed in the past 30 years - but persistent differences in men and women's experience of the labour market remain," said Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

Julie Mellor, EOC: "Recent high-profile discrimination cases show that women's expectations have changed - but their pay is stuck in the '70s.

"Making progress on the gender pay gap is a key priority because we have to draw on the skills and talents of all potential workers - men and women. Women have the right to expect a fair deal in the labour market."

Julie Mellor, chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), added: "Women working part-time earn an average of 40 per cent less per hour than men working full-time, about the same as when the Equal Pay Act was introduced 30 years ago.

"Recent high-profile discrimination cases show that women's expectations have changed - but their pay is stuck in the '70s. This issue needs urgent, concerted action and the EOC is delighted that the Government is committed to reducing the pay gap.

"Tackling the pay gap will require helping parents and carers to balance the demands of family and work, better use of women's skills in the economy and equal pay legislation that is effective in ending pay discrimination. Individual women and their families, business and the wider economy would benefit."

The Women and Work Commission was set up by Tony Blair in 2004 to examine the problem of the gender pay gap and other issues affecting women's employment.

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