The Equal Opportunities Commission has published a report concluding that secrecy about pay rates is helping to maintain a huge gap between the salaries of men and women.

Trade secretary Patricia Hewitt said the report is a "depressing snapshot" of British industry.

She argued that "workplaces are still stacked against women fulfilling their true earning potential".

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the BRC said: "Retailers would welcome support from the government for the provision of more affordable childcare.

"Whilst tax relief on childcare vouchers is a helpful measure for some sectors of the labour market it doesn't help those returning to work for reasons other than maternity leave.

"The ultimate goal for retail employers is to encourage a wider range of applicants for a broader range of jobs. There is no evidence that pay audits provide the solution to this problem.

"The BRC and the All Party Retail Industry Group are facilitating a dialogue between the industry and the EOC and the government."

Forum Response: Usdaw

Bill Connor, Usdaw's general secretary, said, "We are not surprised by the findings as it underlines again the need for fair and transparent pay systems. Employers need to pay fair pay and be seen to be doing so.

"This is where unions have such an important role to play, in partnership with the government and employers, to tackle the pay gap. Usdaw negotiates with some of UK's largest private sector employers and this helps ensure that there is transparency in pay and not secrecy.

"Where pay is negotiated with the involvement of employees both men and women are far more likely to achieve a fair deal and it is seen to be fair."