Big employers and public sector organisations will be forced to publish details of bonuses paid to men and women as part of government measures to close the gender gap.

New regulations will apply to businesses across the UK with more than 250 employees and include about 10 million workers. It will extend existing plans forcing firms to disclose wage differences which come into effect next year.

Latest figures show women earn 19% less than men and the new plan follows comments in July from Prime Minister David Cameron demanding publication change.

Mr Cameron addressed the issue at the Conservative party conference saying his own daughters could face gender discrimination over pay. He told delegates: “You can’t have true opportunity without real equality.”

Research has shown that the gap in earnings is less evident up to the age of 40, but it opens up when women return from having children.

Women and equalities minister Nicky Morgan said: “From the opportunities women are given in school to the ability to move up the executive pipeline, we are determined to tackle the barriers to women achieving their all.

“Business has made huge amounts of progress already in recent years – the gender pay gap is the lowest since records began.

“But it should appal us all that, 100 years on from the suffragette movement, we still don’t have gender equality in every aspect of our society.”

CBI director for employment and skills Neil Carberry said: “Eradicating the gender pay gap is an important goal, but to be truly effective, gender pay gap reporting must be relevant to each company rather than a box-ticking exercise.

“Companies recognise the value of having a diverse board that reflects society and their customers, so we look forward to working with the Government to end all-male boards in the FTSE 350 and elsewhere, building on the successful voluntary approach pioneered by Lord Davies.

“And to continue progress, we need to challenge occupational stereotypes by encouraging more women into male dominated industries and strengthening careers advice.”