However, while the report may spell good news for lecturers, chief executives, and senior officials, it unveiled worrying new statistics about the gender pay gap.

Frances O’Grady – secretary for the Trade Union Centre (TUC) - told The Guardian that the average gender pay gap is closing at a “snail’s pace”.

She said: “We need a labour market that works better for women. This means helping mums get back into well-paid jobs after they have kids. And encouraging dads to take on more caring responsibilities.

“The government should also scrap tribunal fees, which stop women getting justice from bad employers who have discriminated against them.”

Annual earnings for men working full-time rose by 1.9%, and 2.2% for women – but full-time male employees are still, on average, earning 9.% more than their female colleagues.

Find out how you and your company can help support Stylist's #EqualPayDay initiative here.

You can read the full ONS report here.

Images: iStock

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