Just fraction of the top jobs are held by women

A fraction of the roles of chief executives, judges, cabinet ministers and newspaper editors are held by women, a “shocking” new study reveals.

Research by equality charity the Fawcett Society showed that men dominate positions of power across society.

Just 6 per cent of chief executives in FTSE 100 companies, a quarter of cabinet ministers, a third of MPS and fewer than a fifth of national newspaper editors are women, data showed.

Sam Smethers of the Fawcett Society said: “When we see this data brought together it is shocking.

“Despite some prominent women leaders, men haven’t let go of the reins of power.”

The report was published to mark the unveiling of the first statue of a woman in Parliament Square - suffragist Millicent Fawcett.