City 'has no-go areas for women'

Ms Harman said values in the City were being re-evaluated

City boardrooms are often "no-go areas" for women, equality minister Harriet Harman has said.

The government was working to ensure firms drew on the "talents of all", including the "qualities" of female employees, she added.

Ms Harman said salary differences in the financial sector - suggested to be 40% on average - were the highest for any industry in the UK.

This happened even though almost half the workforce was female, she added.

The Equality Commission has been asked to look into the issue.

'Bit rich'

Ms Harman said: "Equality and an absence of discrimination are the hallmarks of a modern society, as well as important for the economy so that it can draw on the talents of all.

"This government has listened and understands the changes that have been taking place in women's lives, in families and in the workplace because of the current international economic downturn and because of more women going out to work.

"Until now, the labour market has been valuing the wrong things. That's evident from the millions paid in bonuses to those who have failed.

"But we are now turning away from risk-taking and greed and recognising qualities and experience that women bring to the workplace."

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber told the conference: "Equality in the workplace will not simply resolve itself of its own accord."

He added: "From flexible working requests to childcare advice and mentoring, equality reps are on hand to offer advice that is tailored to what workers need to thrive in their jobs."

For the Conservatives, shadow women's minister Theresa May said: "It is a bit rich for Harriet Harman to be lecturing people on fairness when her government's failure to prepare for the recession has left so many families struggling.

"It is women that will be hit hardest by the recession, with the female redundancy rate increasing at double that of men."