Women facing 'concrete ceiling'

An annual study into women in top positions of power and influence across public and private sectors showed the biggest number of reversals since the report was started five years ago.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said there was a "worrying trend" of reversal or stalled progress, with fewer women holding top jobs in 12 of 25 categories studied.

There were fewer women MPs, Cabinet members, national newspaper editors, senior police officers and judges, NHS executives, trade union leaders and heads of professional bodies than a year ago, said the report.

The number of female media bosses, MEPs, directors of major museums and galleries, chairs of national arts companies and holders of senior ranks in the Armed Forces remained the same.

Women's representation had increased in just eight areas, including the House of Lords, company directors, council leaders, university vice-chancellors and top civil service managers, although in six of these categories the increase was less than 1%.

The report, Sex and Power, said that in six of the areas studied, women's representation had fallen over the past five years, while in just over half the rise had been less than 5%. "To say that things are changing for women at the top at a snail's pace seems about right," said the report.

Nicola Brewer, chief executive of the EHRC, said: "Young women's aspiration is in danger of giving way to frustration. Many of them are now excelling at school and are achieving great things in higher education, and they are keen to balance a family with a rewarding career. But workplaces forged in an era of stay-at-home mums and breadwinner dads are putting too many barriers in the way, resulting in an avoidable loss of talent at the top.

"We always speak of a glass ceiling. These figures reveal that in some cases it appears to be made of reinforced concrete. We need radical change to support those who are doing great work and help those who want to work better and release talent."

The study estimated it would now take 15 years longer - a total of 55 years - for women to achieve equal status at senior levels in the judiciary.