Women with young children are the most discriminated against at work, according a study by the Equalities Review.

The report found that a mother with a child aged under 11 is 45% less likely to be employed than a man.

It is thought Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are also disadvantaged groups in the workplace.

Speaking on the BBC, Commission for Equality and Human Rights chairman Trevor Phillips, said: "The unemployment of women costs us about £28bn a year, the under-employment of disabled people about £9bn. So the essential point we are making here is that this is an issue for everybody."

The report was commissioned by Prime Minister Tony Blair to examine how our lives are affected by race, gender and age.