Although nearly four in 10 government senior managers (38.7%) are women, pay rates are lower for women who on average are paid 6.3% less than their male colleagues.

This group constitutes approximately the most senior 10% of public officials, according to EY.

The UK ranks fourth in the G20 on the proportion of women among its senior public sector officials, while Canada tops the table with 46%. In terms of G20 countries, the US lags behind with only 34% of top women officials. Australia is ranked second with 40.1% and South Africa third at 39.8%, according to the research released by EY.

The UK is ahead of all European G20 members with Italy in eighth place, and France and Germany falling behind, ranked at 12 and 13 respectively.

On pay, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the only department where women are, on average, paid more than men, while the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has the biggest pay gap with women in DECC’s senior team paid, on average, 16.7% less than their male counterparts.

EY says there are only two departments where there is 50/50 split between senior women and men in Whitehall, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

These are the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department for Communities and Local Government. The Department of Health follows closely behind with 49% of women in senior roles.

At the other end of the scale, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence have the poorest representation with 26% and 27% of women in senior roles respectively.

The average across the public sector in England is 39%, up 4% in the last four years from 35% in 2011.

The research notes that despite the UK’s positive performance, Italy and Germany saw 4% growth in the number of women in top public sector jobs in 2015, while the UK had the lowest growth of all the G20 European nations (2.5%).

Bjorn Conway, head of government and public sector at EY, said: ‘For some years, the civil service has been working to increase the gender diversity of its senior management and it is great to see these efforts paying off. However, it is crucial that we maintain momentum.’ 

Conway said: ‘The increase in representation is good news and with initiatives such as the 30% Club calling for a minimum level of women on FTSE 100 boards, 40% of women in senior roles in the civil service is a great indicator of progress.'

The latest Cranfield research into the share of women on FTSE 100 boards in 2014 found that 23.5% of board roles were held by women, short of the Davies report target of 25%. 

‘By working to tackling unconscious bias, placing greater accountability on permanent secretaries for delivering diversity plans, and engaging senior leaders in mentoring and coaching, we can ensure the civil service continues to lead the way, in the UK and across Europe, in promoting gender equality.’

 Later today, the House of Lords is to debate the contribution of women to business, the economy and the future economic growth of the UK.

Details on the parliamentary debate are here

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