Despite political parties of all persuasions pledging to reduce the gender pay gap, the gap between women and men earning over £100,000 per annum has widened by 23 percent over five years, according to research by law firm Wilsons.

Wilsons found that the difference in pay by gender continues to widen in the top tiers of income - there are now 470,500 fewer women earning more than £100,000 than men, jumping from 383,400 in 2010/11. 625,600 men now earn over £100,000, while just 155,100 women earn over £100,000 per year.

The widening gender pay gap may have something to do with current maternity, pater...