Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Businesses operating in the UK''s private sector should do more to address pay gaps that exist between male and female workers, it has been suggested.

Speaking after the publication of recent Office for National Statistics figures - which suggested that larger pay discrepancies exist in the country''s private sector - government minister Harriet Harman commented that part-time workers may be hit hardest by gender pay gaps.

Ms Harman, who acts as the country''s women and equality minister, said: "It''s disappointing to see the private sector falling even further behind the public sector.

"Most women work part-time because they juggle the important work of looking after children and older relatives: that''s where the discrimination really bites."

However, the MP does believe that steps are being taken to address pay differences, with the government hoping to clamp down on things like secrecy clauses.

Mercer''s Salary Indicator recently suggested that many blue chip organisations are not currently planning to introduce employee pay freezes next year.