Women's salaries are catching up with men's as the gender pay gap narrows in the UK.

However, the pay in the private sector has taken a step backwards according to the Office of National Statistics.

The Annucal Survey of Hours and Earnings shows the pay difference between men and women was smaller in April of this year than April 2008: down to 12.2 percent from 12.6 percent for full time employees.

The overall gap for all employees has fallen to 22.0 percent from 22.5 percent.

The public sector has moved closer to pay equality with a difference of 21.0 percent this year compared to 22.0 percent last year. The gender pay gap has widened in the private sector, up to 28.8 percent from 28.1 percent in 2008.

Harriet Harman, minister for women and equality, said: "It's disappointing to see the private sector falling even further behind the public sector. Most women work part-time because they juggle the important work of looking after children and older relatives: that’s where the discrimination really bites. It's women working part-time who get clobbered with unequal pay.

"The gender pay gap has fallen by more than five per cent since 1997. Today’s figures are a small step in the right direction and the Equality Bill will help women make even further progress by shining a spotlight on gender pay discrimination, workplace by workplace, so problems can be identified and action taken. Employers will no longer be able to rely on keeping their pay structure secret.

"We will ban 'secrecy clauses' - which exist in a nearly a quarter of workplaces - so that women can challenge unfair pay, and we’ll make public authorities report on gender pay. We will ask businesses to report on gender pay, but if voluntary measures do not work by 2013, we will use our legal power to require it."