It is shocking that women today still earn just 80p for every male-earned pound and a quarter of all working women are now earning less than the living wage.

In Yorkshire the pay gap between men and women is one of the biggest in the country. The gap between what men and women earn rests at 19.6% – compared to London, where the pay gap is 13.2%.

Women also make up the majority of individuals working on zero-hour contracts and as many of my constituents will know working on a zero hour contract means insecurity at home and makes budgeting and childcare arrangements nearly impossible.

Labour have decided to take action to help deliver equal pay for men and women. We would start by requiring companies with more than 250 workers will to publish their hourly pay gap -; meaning many of my constituents who are concerned about unequal pay will be able to see if discrimination exists in their workplace. I believe transparency to be the best disinfectant and therefore believe this will go a long way toward helping shrink the pay gap.

Additionally, an £8 minimum wage under Labour will give 3.9 million low paid women a pay rise and if you’ve been working regular hours on a zero-hours contract, you will finally have a right to a regular contract.

Labour will also support women, men and their families by offering 25 hours free childcare for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds, which will support more mums who want to go back to work but can’t afford it.

We will also support thousands of young women back to work, with a real paid job or training for all those under 25 and out of work for more than a year.