The Fawcett Society’s claim that the criminal justice system is ‘institutionally sexist’ is a shocking soundbite, but for many it will not sound a discordant note.

During a five-year study (for example), the Society’s researchers found that at some police forces, uniforms are based on a 1950s military outfit with the same male design issued to both men and women. Shirts are issued by collar size and stab vests have no shaping for the female body. At the launch of the research, justice minister Maria Eagle MP described this as ‘stupid’ and ‘crazy’. It’s also laughable.

Not that we should pick on the police; the legal profession and judiciary plainly have plenty of work to do. The society would like to see equal pay audits at all top-tier law firms; maternity leave or career breaks that do not impact on career progression; and flexible working practices among all employees, female and male. The top ten firms are told to increase the proportion of female partners by 50% by 2020.

Presented with the findings, Eagle observed that there is a ‘long way to go’. There always is – and in a recession as savage as this one, gender and other equality issues can drop down (or off) the management agenda. We must hope that this timely report helps to ensure this does not happen.