The glass ceiling preventing women advancing in the workplace is more like 'reinforced concrete' according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Female workers are facing an even tougher task of getting to the top of their profession with no signs of improved opportunities.

The commission’s "Sex and Power" report looks at women in top positions across the public and private sectors.

Now in its fifth year, this year’s report indicates fewer women hold top posts in 12 of the 25 categories while, in another five categories, the number of women remains unchanged since 2007. Women's representation has increased in just eight areas.

There are fewer women MPs in Westminster, where they make up just 19.3 percent of all MPs. Women’s representation among FTSE 100 directors has improved slightly from 10.4 to 11.0 percent.

This year's report, which traditionally estimates the number of years at the present rate of progress it will take for women to achieve equality in key areas, indicates that compared to previous year's predictions it will now take 15 years longer (a total of 55 years) for women to achieve equal status at senior levels in the judiciary, taking it to a total of 55 years, and women directors in FTSE 100 companies could be waiting in the wings a further eight years, taking it to a total of 73.

Nicola Brewer, Chief Executive of the commission, said: "Young women's aspiration is in danger of giving way to frustration. Many of them are now excelling at school and are achieving great things in higher education. And they are keen to balance a family with a rewarding career. But workplaces forged in an era of 'stay at home mums' and 'breadwinner dads' are putting too many barriers in the way - resulting in an avoidable loss of talent at the top.

"We always speak of a glass ceiling. These figures reveal that in some cases it appears to be made of reinforced concrete. We need radical change to support those who are doing great work and help those who want to work better and release talent."

She added: "The Commission’s report argues that today's findings are not just a 'women's issue' but are a powerful symptom of a wider failure. The report asks in what other ways are old-fashioned, inflexible ways of working preventing Britain from tapping into talent - whether that of women or other under-represented groups such as disabled people, ethnic minorities or those with caring responsibilities. Britain cannot afford to go on marginalising or rejecting talented people who fail to fit into traditional work patterns."