The gap is 23% in London compared to 17% in the rest of the country, according to the findings in the Women in London's Economy report.

The report states the reason for this is because the majority of the top paid jobs go to men.

The report is being published to coincide with a conference on Thursday for business leaders and policy-makers.

Without more action from the private sector to tackle sex inequality...the pay gap will never close Jenny Watson, Equal Opportunities Commission

It states women at the higher and lower ends of the pay scale are particularly badly hit.

It also shows women with children in London have a �20 a week lower income than in the rest of the UK, despite London's much higher cost of living.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said: "London's future as the powerhouse of the UK's economy is critically dependent on the contribution of women.

"But this report shows that the glass ceiling is no myth but a reality holding women back."

The report also found that 19% of women in London, nearly one in five, are earning less than the London Living Wage, of �7.05 per hour, compared to only 12% of men.

Backing the report's findings Jenny Watson, Equal Opportunities Commission chair, said London "wastes women's talents".

"Without more action from the private sector to tackle sex inequality throughout London's economy, the pay gap will never close," she said.