The number of female IT contractors benefiting from part-time jobs must increase, a report has concluded.

Vera Baird, solicitor general and lead minister for the Equality Bill, has called for steps to be taken to make flexible working a more common arrangement.

She said: "By not opening up more senior roles to part-time work, business is missing a trick. We can't miss tricks when our economy needs vigorously to regrow after the recession."

Research by the Equalities Office has found that too many women such as IT contractors have to downgrade after leaving full-time employment due to the non-availability of highly-skilled part time work.

Ms Baird added that it is crucial for people's labour market assumptions to be modernised, with a higher awareness that working and caring are related spheres.

Earlier this month, a BCS spokeswoman claimed that the gender imbalance in IT contracting will be addressed through improved education.