THE prospect of equal pay between men and women is a step closer - as two of Worcester's biggest political rivals revealed they were united over it.

A vote took place in parliament last night over forcing companies with 250 staff or more to publish the rates they pay men and women.

Worcester's Conservative MP Robin Walker and Councillor Joy Squires, the city's Labour parliamentary candidate, have revealed their long-standing support for it.

Research from the Office for National Statistics' suggests that over a career, from the age of 22 to 64, a woman earns an average of £209,976 less.

The vote, which was passed with all-party support, does not compel the Government to act but will enshrine the broad principle of it in the minds of ministers.

The Equal Pay (Transparency) Bill was brought in by Labour backbencher Sarah Champion under parliament's 10-minute rule.

She insists that publishing the information would place a responsibility on employers to obey the law on equal pay and take steps to reduce the gender gap.

Mr Walker was blocked from taking part in the vote under commons rules, as he is a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Environment minister Liz Truss.

But he told your Worcester News he was in support of finally equalling the pay gap.

"I am totally in support of it, I couldn't take part in the vote because of my role as a PPS but it's something I've already called for," he said.

"The Business, Innovation and Skills select committee (which he sits on) did a report around 18 months ago recommending equal pay as a way forward.

"The reality is, because we're about to run out of parliamentary time this won't go further right now, but I am in favour of it."

Cllr Squires says she now hopes the commons debate leads to changes being launched soon.

She said: "I am pleased that measures to progress equal pay gained a measure of cross-party support in parliament.

"I hope the required changes to the rules to ensure large companies publish information on the pay gap between men and women will be implemented soon."

The bill would bring into effect measures in the 2010 Equality Act which were not implemented by the Coalition Government.

During the vote it was passed by 258 to eight, with seven male Tory MPs going against it, although none of that small group were from Worcestershire.