Gender pay differences will be out in the open

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The reforms, which are expected to lead to an increase in employment tribunal cases, will also allow staff to sue their bosses for failing to protect them from harassment by a customer or colleague.

Other changes in the new Equality Act will ban firms from asking about a job applicant's health and require them to ensure that carers for the disabled are not picked on because of their responsibilities.

Theresa May, who is Minister for Women and Equality as well as Home Secretary, singled out one of the most important changes: "From today the gagging clauses that stop people discussing their pay with their colleagues will be unenforceable, allowing women and men to find out if they're being paid unfairly," she said.

"This move towards transparency is just one part of the Equality Act, which also makes it easier for businesses to comply with discrimination law by streamlining the equality laws, and provides more protection to disabled people."

The change in the law coincides with the release of Made in Dagenham, a film about women workers at the Ford factory whose campaign led to the creation of the 1970 Equal Pay Act.

Ms May said: "Thanks to pioneers like the women who feature in Made in Dagenham, the workplace is much fairer than it was in 1968, but there is still plenty of room for improvement."

About 90 per cent of the new Equality Act, which was pushed through Parliament by the Labour government, comes into effect today, making the law simpler by bringing together nine pieces of legislation under a single banner.

The remaining provisions will only be activated once ministers decide it is appropriate, prompting criticisms from some campaigners that discrimination could still continue.