Gender pay gap is widest in the capital

London has the country's widest gulf in pay between women and men, according to a new report commissioned by the capital's mayor, Ken Livingstone.

Women in London's economy reveals that, because of the types of career that they typically enter, women in London earn 25% less than men. In shops, call centres, health, education and administration - all sectors with high female employment - the average London wage is £5.38 an hour, compared with £17.30 in the male-dominated professions of business and property.

Employers' organisation the CBI said discrimination by employers was "only a small part of the problem", with women's career choices and caring responsibilities being more important, but unions called for action to close the pay gap.

"Unless priority is given to correcting the gender imbalance in take-home pay, the fight against poverty will never be won," said GMB national officer Dawn Butler.