Women make up a large percentage of the workforce - almost 50% - but are often found in low paid and part-time jobs. Statistics show that women are, on the whole, still paid less for performing the same tasks as male colleagues.

On the other hand, women are more frequently found in managerial positions than in most other European countries and more and more women are reaching the very highest echelons of British business life.

More female managers will be found in service and hi-tech industries than in the more traditional engineering sectors - this is largely due to the small number of women in the UK who graduate with technical degrees.