Discrimination against women is "deeply ingrained" in British society, according to a report into the near 20 per cent gender pay gap which has been published published .

Interim findings of the Women and work Commission also showed that female workers often had fewer opportunities to develop careers.

There was a "significant and multi-layered" problem facing women and their choices were being constrained, said the report.

Many women were "stuck" to the floor of low-paid jobs, often with limited hours and with few development or training opportunities, said the commission.

The gap between the pay of full-time women and men workers is 18.4 per cent, and 43.2 per cent for part-timers, the report said.